Singapore: The Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN) is keen on inking an air services
agreement with India by end of 2012, an official from the
10-nation grouping said on Thursday.
"We are looking to sign the air services agreement with
India by end of next year," Pushpanathan Sundram, Deputy
Secretary General of ASEAN, said at the 7th International
Conference on South Asia here.
The agreement would cover point-to-point air travel
between Indian cities and the ASEAN member-countries.
Talks have been initiated in this regard, he told
reporters on the sidelines of the conference.
He pointed out at the large volume of traffic between
India and its South-Eastern neighbours, especially the traffic
to Buddhist pilgrim centres in India.
The region`s transport ministers are scheduled to meet in
the second half of next year.
India has already established strong air transport links
with Singapore and Malaysia, ASEAN`s most vibrant economies.
Some of Asia`s biggest airlines are based in ASEAN region
and they look to attract the tourist traffic from India.
PTI
