India, Bangladesh Plan Better Air Links to Boost Aviation Ties

India and Bangladesh discuss stronger civil aviation cooperation, improved air connectivity and expanded air cargo capacity, alongside measures to enhance aviation coordination and promote tourism between the two countries.

The two countries have initiated steps to increase cooperation in civil aviation, which would lead to better air connectivity as well as an increase in the amount of air cargo. The steps are being taken during a discussion between the Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Dinesh Trivedi and the Bangladesh Minister of Civil Aviation and Tourism, M Rashiduzzaman Millat, on September 16 in Dhaka.

The topics covered by the discussion encompass the whole gamut of bilateral cooperation in the field of aviation. The two parties consider various means of increasing the level of air connectivity between the two countries, with the increase in passenger carrying capacity being a significant sphere of cooperation. They also consider possibilities for improving air cargo capacity.

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The improvement of mechanisms for bilateral cooperation in the sphere of aviation will be one of the themes for discussion. The aim of the process is to enhance coordination between the respective agencies and develop mechanisms that can solve the problems connected with operational and connectivity issues. One more theme of the talks is the promotion of tourism.

The air services framework is also being discussed between Bangladesh and India for other aspects of the relationship. Different news reports have said that both sides also discussed the prospects of having open skies and also considered revising the current air services agreement. Indian officials have talked about the possibility of using locally built short takeoff and landing planes in suitable Bangladeshi airstrips.

With regard to Bangladesh, better aviation connectivity will be useful for its strategy to build up its image as an aviation hub, whereas better connectivity with India will be useful for business and tourism. As for India, it is continuing to develop its aviation infrastructure and connectivity through projects like UDAN, where the aviation sector has developed through new routes and airports.

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The most recent conversations contribute to the already ongoing initiatives aimed at bolstering the collaboration between the two countries on a pragmatic level. Civil aviation, increased connectivity in terms of passengers and cargo, and tourism are likely to remain important issues for discussion.