India will propose to start direct flights between New Delhi and Islamabad in the forthcoming talks between the commerce secretaries of India and Pakistan that are expected to be held in mid-September, India’s trade secretary SR Rao said. Currently, the two capitals are not connected by direct flights. Only Karachi and Mumbai are connected by direct flights. If Pakistan agrees, Rao hopes a joint working group involving the aviation ministry officials of both countries will be constituted. “We have so many direct flights from New Delhi to other South Asian capitals such as Dhaka and Kathmandu. We are trying to encourage direct flights between New Delhi and Islamabad,” he said. Rao said though the Pakistan side has not yet finalized the dates for the talks, it is expected to be held towards mid-September.
