News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp
Home  » News » MEA awaits word from Islamabad
on restoring air links

MEA awaits word from Islamabad
on restoring air links

By Tara Shankar Sahay in New Delhi
May 20, 2003 21:00 IST
Get Rediff News in your Inbox:

The Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday said it was yet to receive any response from Pakistan on India's offer to restore air-links between the two countries on reciprocal basis.

While Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's offer to restore air links between the two countries was received with enthusiasm in Islamabad, nothing moved after that.

An MEA source said restoration of Indo-Pak air links could go a long way in normalising relations between the two neighbours. "We are eagerly awaiting their response," he said.

Asked about Pakistan's decision to ban terrorist group Hizbul Mujahideen, the source said: "Whether it [the ban] is significant has to be tested. We have seen such announcements before, but they have disappointed."

He said terrorist outfits in Pakistan function under a different name after being banned, thereby making a mockery of  the ban.

The source pointed out that the Jaish-e-Mohammed chief, despite being barred from entering Pakistan-occuiped-Kashmir, addressed a public meeting there.

Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
Tara Shankar Sahay in New Delhi