India, Sept. 30 -- India is exploring an aviation corridor through China to reduce the extra cost and time airlines face because of the ongoing closure of Pakistani airspace, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said on Tuesday.

The proposed route would pass through the Hotan area of southwestern Xinjiang. It could provide Indian airlines with a shorter connection to destinations in Europe, North America and parts of Central Asia.

Naidu said India's Union Ministry of External Affairs was engaged with Chinese authorities on the issue, while cautioning that discussions were still underway.

Under the proposed arrangement, flights departing from Delhi and Mumbai would travel towards Leh before entering Chinese airspace near Hotan. From ...