This was the third time since the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution by India in Jammu and Kashmir that Pakistan had disallowed an Indian VVIP aircraft to overfly its airspace.
Representational image (Photo: iStock)
India has taken Pakistan to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) for violating the international aviation law after the neighbouring country denied Prime Minister Narendra Modi to use its airspace for flying to Saudi Arabia.
This was the third time since the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution by India in Jammu and Kashmir that Pakistan had disallowed an Indian VVIP aircraft to overfly its airspace.
Advertisement
President Ram Nath Kovind’s plane was not permitted to use Pakistani airspace when he had gone to Europe on a three-nation tour in early September. PM Modi’s plane was not allowed to overfly Pakistani territory during his visit to New York for the UN General assembly in the third week of September.
Advertisement
Government sources in New Delhi said: “We regret the decision of the Government of Pakistan to yet again deny overflight clearance for the VVIP special flight which is otherwise granted routinely by any normal country.”
Sources noted that overflight clearances were sought, and granted by other countries as per prescribed ICAO guidelines and India would continue to seek such overflight clearances.
“Separately, we have taken up the matter of such denial with the relevant international civil aviation body,” they added.
Under the charter of ICAO, unless it’s war, denying the use of airspace by singling out a nation cannot be done by any country. Pakistan can be slapped with a heavy fine for its action.
“Pakistan should reflect upon its decision to deviate from well-established international practice, as well as reconsider its old habit of misrepresenting the reasons for taking unilateral action,” sources said.
Meanwhile, Pakistan said it has denied permission to India to use its airspace for the VVIP aircraft in view of the J&K issue.
Advertisement
