Atoll Nation and Air bubble

Subject: IR

Context:

Maldives has asked Indian government to establish an air bubble or air travel bridge with India as it goes to reopen tourism sector from July 15

Concept:

• Maldives is located to the southwest of India in the Indian Ocean
• The economy of the Maldives is almost entirely driven by tourism, which makes up 70 per cent of its GDP.
• The air bubble would be a special gesture to a country with which India has had traditionally warm ties, but where in recent years, it has had to contend with growing Chinese influence.

Air bubble

• Air bubbles” or “air bridges” are joining jurisdictions that have largely eliminated the cornovirus, and trust in each other’s testing and case numbers.
• Australia and New Zealand have leaded the way with a proposed “Covid-safe travel zone”, or the trans-Tasman bubble.