India has discussed finalizing an air bubble agreement with Saudi Arabia to allow travel between the two countries amid the Covid19 pandemic, the country's foreign minister said on Wednesday.
India currently has air bubble agreements with 28 countries around the world, from Afghanistan to Uzbekistan. In West Asia, such agreements have been completed with Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Saudi Arabia is home to about 2.6 million Indian citizens, one of the largest concentrations of foreigners in West Asia. About nine million Indians live in the Gulf States, the majority of whom are workers and professionals.
In a written response to a question from Lok Sabha, Muraleedharan said: Covid19 pandemic.
Since Saudi Arabia suspended the entry of passengers entering from India due to the pandemic, talks on a gas bubble agreement are "currently suspended", he announced.
“The matter continues to be discussed by the government with Saudi Arabia,” Muraleedharan added.