ISLAMABAD, August 28 (IslamOnline.net) - Pakistani and Indian officials on Thursday, August 28, traded blame for the failure of technical talks on the resumption of air links and over flight rights.

Wrapping up two days of talks in Pakistani garrison city of Rawalpindi, Pakistani and Indian aviation officials confirmed failure to each an agreement.

"A range of issues was discussed in detail in a cordial and business-like atmosphere. The talks provided an opportunity to the two sides to understand each other's respective position," a brief statement issued at the conclusion of the talks said.

It added that the two sides decided to continue with the negotiations but no date has been announced.

The talks were thought to be crucial, aiming at resolving impeding resumption of Lahore-Delhi air service and mutual agreement on over-flight rights.

Pakistani Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri told "Meet the Press" program in Rawalpindi that the Indians were to be blamed for inconclusive talks.

"An agreement could have been signed today. Pakistani delegation was ready and prepared for that but Indians said they wanted more time," he said.

"This is unfortunate that Indian wanted time on an issue which could have been easily resolved today," regretted the top diplomat.

For his part, Indian foreign ministry spokesman Navtej Serna said in New Delhi Pakistan’s negative attitude was behind the failure to thrash out an agreement.

"An agreement could easily have been reached. It is regretted that this did not happen because of Pakistan’s negative approach and its attempt to bring in extraneous issues," he said.

Officials privy to the talks said the over flight rights issue stymied reaching an agreement on the resumption of air links.

"Pakistan wouldn’t move an inch ahead without making India agree on a sovereign guarantee that would bar any of the parties to take unilateral action as far as the over flight rights were concerned," officials said.

India, on the other hand, wanted a quick solution to over flight issue for two reasons, they added.

First, it has 111 flights which fly through Pakistan airspace to reach destinations in Europe and other places whereas only 14 Pakistani flights were re-routed because of the Indian ban on using its airspace.

Second, India wanted to have a quick air access to Afghanistan, its new ally in the region with which it has developed diplomatic and business relations very rapidly.

The officials, however, said both countries did agree to have a mechanism under which no country in future would be able to put a ban on over flights unilaterally.

"But the unresolved question remains, how", they elaborated.

Indian delegates said the two countries should workout a mutual understanding to that affect whereas Pakistan wanted to involve the international Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and to sign agreement and guarantee to ensure uninterrupted air links in future.

Pakistan also proposed heavy penalties on such unilateral bans in future.

India had suspended air links with Pakistan and banned its national flag carrier to enter its airspace in January 2002 following a terrorist attack on Indian parliament which New Delhi had blamed on Pakistan-back groups.

In a tit-for-tat response, Pakistan also slapped Indian over-flights rights but refused to follow suit when India lifted the ban a year later saying it would do so only on the guarantee that such a course wont be repeated in future.

Pakistan later demanded India to enter into a formal agreement before re-opening air links so that the air links could be secured in future.

The nuclear neighbors are trying to mend ties after teetering on the brink of a fourth war for most of last year.