The Indian government says it will likely extend the temporary flight ban to and from the UK.
Flights were halted last week in response to fears of the new strain of Covid could be imported into India.
Flights have been suspended until the year-end but will likely be extended for a few more days.
"I foresee—I am not making an announcement—a slight extension of the temporary suspension. I don’t expect that extension to be long or indefinite," Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri told reporters at a press briefing.
"Once we have the genome sequence completed, it will give us the full picture and confidence to open up flight services again," he added.
The new strain of the virus is thought to be up to 70% more contagious.
Before flights were stopped, there were more than 60 flights a week between the countries, carrying more than 2,000 people a day as part of a bilateral agreement.
The Health Ministry said there are six cases of the new strain found in travellers who arrived back recently from the UK.
The strain has been reported in other countries including Denmark, the Netherlands, Australia, Italy and Sweden.
Written by Ray Montgomery, Asia Editor
