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IA will fly to Nepal only after security is sewed up

India Tuesday said the flights to Nepal would not be resumed at the cost of security. However, efforts were on to explore the possibilities.

Answering questions on lack of security at Kathmandu airport and the recent hijacking of an Indian Airlines flight, Civil Aviation Minister Sharad Yadav told the Rajya Sabha that officials of both countries were discussing the issue.

The revenue loss to the IA so far was Rs 170 million, and Nepal depended on tourist inflow for its economy. The flights would be started soon, he added.

Yadav said India had taken several measures inside the country and abroad to tighten the security in airports. He maintained that there was no security lapse on the part of his ministry but there were several constraints to take such steps abroad.

The relationship between India and Nepal was very good and the age-old cultural ties were also reflected in the nature of border between the two countries. Taking advantage of this, the minister continued, anti-India forces had set up bases in Nepal. Both the countries had discussed these issues time and again. India even proposed to provide security in Nepal but the latter was unwilling to accept it.

Agreeing to the view that it would not be fair to entirely blame Nepal for the hijacking, Yadav said India was taking all measures to tighten security.

UNI

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