New Delhi, June 09: India today said full restoration of civil aviation link with Pakistan had not taken place because of its unwillingness to indicate clearly its position on overflights and also regretted that Islamabad had not taken any substantial steps on trade and economic cooperation. In response to a question about the statement by Pakistani foreign office spokesman expressing disappointment at the pace of engagements, the external affairs ministry spokesman said: "We are surprised at the comment."

"We await specific dates from Pakistan about the arrival of their technical team" to discuss modalities for resumption of Delhi-Lahore bus service, he said.

"Pakistan has also not taken any substantial steps on trade and economic cooperation," the MEA spokesman said.

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had announced specifically the appointment of high commissioner and full restoration of civil aviation link. He had also referred to the importance of progress on economic cooperation including in the context of Saarc.

"There has been progress in the appointment of high commissioner. Full restoration of civil aviation link has not taken place because of Pakistan's unwillingness to indicate clearly its position on overflights," he added.

Bureau Report