A government of India release said that India has opened its air space for ASEAN countries under an open-sky understanding. Accordingly, now, with the agreement in force the designated airlines from ASEAN countries could fly into any Indian city. Indian airlines too have been given the same treatment by ASEAN.

 

However, as of now, airlines from these countries can operate only on approved routes. The latest development has come after India gave its formal approval at the 14th ASEAN Transport Ministers' meeting held at Manila in Philippines. All the agreed countries reached into open-sky regime and its modalities were worked out during the meeting.

 

Evidently, ASEAN has 10 countries as its members, namely, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Brunei and Laos. India under its 'Look East' policy is looking for beneficial commercial partnership with ASEAN. The release from the Govt. of India said that India too wants ASEAN countries to liberalize their air policy among the members.