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Indo-Pak talks on expansion of civil aviation

     New Delhi: The technical level talks between Indian and Pakistani on strengthening civil aviation links between the two countries continued on Tuesday. The two-day talks, which began on Monday ahead of the third round of composite dialogue programme between the two sides, are expected to allow the opening up of more air routes between India and Pakistan. Additional Secretary of Defence, General Muhammad Asharaf Chaudhary, who is heading the Pakistani delegation, expressed the hope of a positive outcome of the talks. "Currently, there are only two points between the two countries. We would like to increase the number points and frequency. (This way) we will have more airlines, especially private airlines will come," said Chaudhary. The Indian delegation is being led by Satinder Singh, Director General of Civil Aviation. According to some top officials, the talks would also review the present bilateral air services agreement between India and Pakistan. Last year, both sides held inconclusive discussions in Islamabad. During that meeting, Pakistan had sought permission to operate its Pakistan International Airlines flights to Kochi, Hyderabad and Chennai, besides the existing Delhi and Mumbai. Pakistan, in reciprocity, had offered Islamabad and Peshawar as additional routes for Indian Airlines and Indian private operators. India, while promising to consider Pakistan's request for three more destinations on Indian routes, did not show much interest in the new destinations proposed by Islamabad due to viability factor. Both sides also held inconclusive discussions over permitting private airlines between the agreed destinations. The third round of Composite Dialogue between India and Pakistan will commence in Islamabad on March 28 and will conclude after eight rounds in New Delhi on July 22.
-Mar 7,  2006

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