New Delhi, June 08: India today held discussions with Turkey to strengthen bilateral aviation ties and for resumption of direct air link between the two countries.
br> Civil aviation minister Shahnawaz Hussain, who is visiting Istanbul to attend the international civil aviation equipment exposition that started yesterday, said India was keen to enhance the aviation arrangements with Turkey, especially in the technical area, according to official sources here.
Hussain held talks in this regard with Turkish transport minister Oktay Vural. A Turkish delegation would visit India shortly to hold further talks on resumption of flights between the two countries.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the exposition yesterday, Hussain said that civil aviation had been recognised in India as an important engine of economic growth and the government was considering meeting the increasing demands of the sector in areas like infrastructure, satellite-based communication and navigation systems and facilitation.
Noting that an ambitious long-term plan was being implemented in a phased manner, the Indian minister said that airports, especially in the four metros, were being modernised and developed to meet world standards.
Inaugurating the exposition, Oktay Vural stressed the need for upgradation of civil aviation infrastructure and sought closer ties with India in this area.
Bureau Report
