Flights with India to resume on 20 August
He was speaking at a handover ceremony of 31 life support ambulances and medical supplies provided by the Indian government at the state guest house Padma
Bangladesh is going to resume flights with India from 20 August under an air bubble agreement.
"The flights would start again from 20 August under the air bubble agreement with India as many people from Bangladesh want to go to India. The Indian government is resuming flights after we requested them," Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said on Tuesday.
He was speaking at a handover ceremony of 31 life support ambulances and medical supplies provided by the Indian government at the state guest house Padma.
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About the AstraZeneca Vaccine, Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Vikram Doraiswami at the programme told reporters India would export the vaccine only after its demand was met.
"Once our demand is met, we will start exporting vaccines. We did not say we would not provide the vaccine, but we would start supplying once India's problems were resolved. Exports will start as soon as possible," said Vikram Doraiswami.
"Our capacity is increasing as the epidemic in India is reduced. We are sending surplus materials to other countries if we are able to meet our demand," he added.
The high commissioner further said India had applied for the approval of the World Health Organisation for the trial of the Bharat Biotech vaccine in Bangladesh.
Foreign Minister Abdul Momen expressed hope that India would deliver the promised AstraZeneca vaccine to Bangladesh soon.
The Indian High Commission in Dhaka has handed over the 31 ambulances and 20 tonnes of medical supplies gifted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
According to the High Commission, this is the first consignment of 109 life support ambulances. India will hand over the rest of the ambulance to Bangladesh very soon.
The 20 tonnes of medical supplies include Oxygen Nasal Cannula, Oxygen Face Mask, Oxygen Flow Metre, Non-Rebreather Mask, Pulse Oximeter Device, High Flow Nasal Cannula, 10-Litre Liquid Medical Oxygen Cylinder and 45-Litre Oxygen concentrator and Infrared thermometer.
"India is our friend. We are grateful to them for providing these ambulances and medical supplies during the Covid-19 period. India always comes forward whenever we face any complex problem. India is a time-tested friend," said Momen.
The Indian high commissioner said, "India and Bangladesh have a long history of cooperation. No disaster can be tackled without the cooperation and partnership of close neighbours. India has sent large quantities of liquid oxygen to deal with the Covid-19. India wants to cooperate as much as possible."
