Today, Ministry of External Affairs held a detailed review meeting of India’s repatriation drive, Vande Bharat Mission, with Ministry of Civil Aviation, Department of Military Affairs, Air India, Ministry of Home Affairs and Bureau of Immigration.
Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, minister of External Affairs tweeted:
Following are the key highlights of the meeting:
- Efforts are being made to expand phase 2 of Vande Bharat Mission with the target to bring back 100,000 passengers from 60 countries worldwide. Preparation for phase 3 has begun.
- National carrier Air India will soon shift to direct ticketing to facilitate international bookings.
- Charter flights and private jet can resume their operations on domestic routes. The civil aviation ministry has issued guidelines for non-schedule operator permit (NSOP or charter) and private jet services.
- The return of Indians through land borders has commenced today.
- The government is looking at increasing feeder flights frequency.
- Arrangements are being made for amnesty beneficiaries in Gulf countries.
- Naval evacuation of fishermen in Iran will happen in June.
- Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, minister of External Affairs of India also said that the centre is working with state governments for more efficient use of cumulative quarantine capacity.