An Aviation Pact that will be a Boon for Studensts, OCIs and others

Talks between India and USA, UK, France and Germany are happening right now to initiate a travel pact that could roll out within a week&rsquos time.&nbspIt will create &lsquospecial arrangement&rsquo for air travel under which airlines from either country can operate in India to carry passengers in and out of the country following Home Ministry rules.

India is also in talks with the UAE for creating similar reciprocal travel corridors and allow international flights to carry passengers from either side.

Presently only a handful of airlines like Lufthansa, Air France and United are allowed to operate to fly repatriate flights. These are used mainly to carry eligible citizens. But once the announcements roll out, the pact will allow flights from both sides to carry passengers in and out of India.

USA, France and Germany have asked their Indian counterpart to allow flights from these countries as part of the AI&rsquos Vande Bharat Mission (VBM) .France has restricted people from flying in these VBM flights to Paris. USA too has made it clear that VBM flights need permission to operate.

Currently, the Home Ministry has allowed only certain categories of foreign citizens, such as overseas citizens of India (including students) and others who are eligible under the ministry&rsquos rules.