Islamabad, Oct 21: Pakistan today expressed its readiness to hold second round of talks with India to resume air-links and over-flights, a day after New Delhi said it was willing to carry forward the discussions with Islamabad provided it came with an "open mind". Pakistan also said that it has received a "confirmation of sorts" from New Delhi that Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee would attend the SAARC summit in January here.

"Pakistan too was ready for talks and would approach the issue with an open mind," Foreign Office spokesman Masood Khan told reporters He was reacting to Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal's comments yesterday that "we were ready to have civil aviation links but Pakistan put a spoke. We are willing to have the second round provided they come with an open mind."

Khan said, "We are also open minded on this question. We have engaged the Indians in the past and ready to hold second round of consultations. The dates have to be confirmed by Delhi. Whenever they suggest we shall hold the consultations". He, however, drew a distinction between resuming air links and over flights.

Bureau Report