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India lifts ban on PIA overflights

In the first step towards de-escaltaion of Indo-Pak tension, India on Monday lifted ban on overflight by Pakistani International Airlines aircraft.

This was announced by External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Nirupama Rao.

The ban was imposed on January one following the December 13 terrorist attack on Parliament.

"Government has decided that with effect from today, all restrictions placed since January 1 this year on Pakistani aircraft and Pakistan Airlines to overfly Indian territory are lifted," Rao said.

Rao said during the last few days there have been certain announcements by Pakistan regarding curbing infiltration and cross-border terrorism.

"Our response will be in a sequence. We have a menu of options available," she said.

Stating that the situation was 'fluid', she said the Indian assessment of the situation will continue.

"It is not that we have come to a definite conclusion that there is tangible change but certain changes are taking place," she said.

Asked about the permission to be required for Pakistani aircraft overflying Indian territory, she said, "Of course as before, normal procedure for approval involving Ministries of External Affairs, Civil Aviation and Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) as appropriate, would apply."

On Indian aircraft overflying Pakistani airspace, Rao said, "We hope the principle of reciprocity will apply."

Asked whether there had been a perceptible change in cross-border terrorism and infiltration, the external affairs spokesperson said the government was taking stock of the ground situation regularly.

"We have reasons to believe that there is some definite tangible change in the situation," she said, adding today's announcement was in response to some concrete promises made by Pakistan.

However, she said this does not indicate any definite trend but 'we are engaged in detailed analysis and we will continue to verify and monitor the situation'.

Asked about the extradition of some persons wanted in India in connection with certain crimes, she said the extradition request was nothing new as it was made in 1995.

"The request continued to hold good and there was no change in the stand," she said.

PTI

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