Islamabad, Aug 27: Two-day talks between India and Pakistan to resume direct air links and over flights between the two countries began in Rawalpindi today. A five-member Indian delegation of civil aviation officials led by Director General of Civil Aviation Authority Sathinder Singh is holding talks with their Pakistani counterparts on resuming direct flights from Lahore to New Delhi and Karachi to Mumbai as well as reopening of each others' skies to over flights. The delegation arrived in Islamabad yesterday. Other members of the delegation included A V Chaturvedi, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Shirin Lalwani, Air India, Sunil Kishen, Indian Airlines and Kharbhanda of the Airports Authority. Pakistan has nominated Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ashraf Chaudry, Additional Secretary of Ministry of Defence to head their delegation at the talks. The two sides would also discuss the lifting of ban on the airlines of both countries using each others' skies for overflights flying long distance.


Tthe countries have diverted dozens of their flights to Far East and South East Asia in view of the ban. Pakistan earlier said it would ask for guarantees from India to not to ban overflights in future.


The over flights were banned twice by the two countries. While the flights were banned during 1971 war, India closed its air space to Pakistan flights in January 2001 after the attack on the Indian Parliament.


The talks are scheduled to conclude tomorrow.


Bureau Report