Thread by @DrSJaishankar

Just concluded a detailed review meeting of #VandeBharatMission. Thank Team MEA, @MoCA_GoI, DMA, @airindiain, MHA, Bureau of Immigration for their participation and contribution.

Focus of meeting was to ramp up the scale of #VBM and enhance its efficiency.

Key points from the meeting:

1. Lessons learnt from #VBM performance so far of 173 flights and 3 ships covering 34 countries.

2. Further expanding Phase 2 of #VBM (17 May to 13 June) currently underway. Will target 100,000 passengers from 60 countries.

3. Preparations for 3rd phase - widening our footprint has commenced.

4. Increase in entry points and expanded feeder flights being planned.

5. Welcome approval of chartered flights from today.

6. Indians returning through land borders has started today.

7. Arrangements being made for amnesty beneficiaries in the Gulf.

8. Naval evacuation of our fishermen in Iran will happen in June.

9. Air India will shortly shift to direct ticketing to facilitate bookings abroad.

10. Working with state governments for more efficient use of cumulative quarantine capacity.

#VandeBharatMission