New Delhi, July 09: India is awaiting a response from Pakistan to begin talks between civil aviation officials of the two countries to resume bilateral air links, External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha said today. "While we were ready to resume air links, Pakistan suggested that talks be held between officials of the civil aviation ministries of the two countries. We have left it to Pakistan to decide when and where these talks should be held," he told journalists here.
Asked to comment on reports about Islamabad seeking guarantees that overflights should not be banned in future, Sinha said the government had not received any official word on it. However, it would "not be very helpful to seek guarantees" when talks are to be resumed, he said, adding in that case, India could also seek guarantees and that would not help the process.
"We should enter into a dialogue with as open mind as possible," the minister said. New Delhi was ready to resume both air services as well as overflying rights with Pakistan, Sinha said, adding that the two countries would have to await the outcome of the talks proposed between their civil aviation officials. Bureau Report