A delegation from the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoTCA) is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Indian authorities on issues ranging from a review of the Air Service Agreement (ASA) and change of flight routes as per the Air Traffic Service (ATS) agreement to an Aviation Safety Clause. The two sides will also seek amendments to the ASA based on international practice.
The secretary-level talks will initiate discussions on enhancing seat capacity, increasing the number of flights and other requirements based on the ASA.
"The focus will be on ASA review, which would include increase in the number of flights and seats between the two countries as per the requirements of both sides," Keshav Khanal, Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), told myrepublica.com.
Also on the agenda is addition of the Aviation Safety Clause as per a provision of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The provision includes "certain inspection rights” for Nepali officials at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi.
In addition, under the ATS, discussions will be held on allowing landing rights in various destinations of both countries. India has already proposed direct flights from Banaras to Pokhara and Lumbini.
Khanal also informed that the two sides will discuss the issue of air defense clearance. Currently, Nepal´s state-run airline, Nepal Airlines Corporation, is said to be facing flight delay problems every day due to delayed response from the Indian Defense Ministry for flight clearance. As per aviation rules, any airline has to seek clearance from the other country´s defense ministry to fly to that country.
Sources also indicated that the controversial demand by the Indian government to be allowed to have sky marshals on board every flight to Kathmandu, is to be taken up during the talks. The then Maoist government had allowed access to Air India security personnel to the sterilized zone at Tribhuvan International Airport some six months back.
Confirming the scheduled meeting, Apoorva Srivastava, spokesperson at the Indian embassy in Kathmandu, said "The meeting has been scheduled for September 8-9. The Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Madhavan Nambiar, will head the delegation from the Indian side." She added that the two sides will deliberate on settlement of many issues relating to the ASA between the two countries.
The delegation will consist of Tourism Secretary Nagendra Ghimire, CAAN Director General Khanal, Under-Secretary of the Law and Justice Ministry Phanindra Gautam and other MoTCA officials. They will be joined by a representative of the Nepali embassy in New Delhi.
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