In a rare gesture amid strained bilateral ties, India has granted Pakistan immediate permission to use its airspace for a humanitarian relief flight headed to flood-hit Sri Lanka. The development comes shortly after ‘Operation Sindoor’ and marks a significant moment between the two neighbours, as Pakistan has historically refrained from granting overflight access to Indian aircraft.
The clearance was linked to the devastating floods in Sri Lanka, where Pakistan sought to send relief material. Since the most direct route required crossing Indian airspace, New Delhi approved the request on humanitarian grounds.
According to ANI, India promptly granted overflight clearance to the Pakistani aircraft carrying emergency supplies for Sri Lanka. Officials clarified that the request was processed within hours, given the urgency of the relief operation.
India dismisses Pakistani media’s claims within hours
In contrast to the goodwill gesture, sections of the Pakistani media attempted to claim that India had denied the overflight request. Indian officials strongly rejected the narrative, calling it ‘false propaganda.’
Officials confirmed that Pakistan submitted its formal request on December 1 around 1 PM (IST), seeking same-day permission. India cleared the request within just four hours.
‘Given that the request was related to humanitarian assistance for Sri Lanka, the Government of India processed it immediately,’ officials said. The approval was communicated to Pakistan through official channels at around 17:30 the same day, one of the fastest clearances India has granted.
Sri Lanka battles worst floods
Sri Lanka is grappling with catastrophic floods triggered by Cyclone Ditwah, which made landfall on November 28 with powerful winds and torrential rain. The cyclone caused widespread flooding and landslides across the island, leaving over 355 people dead and at least 366 missing. The government has declared a national emergency, calling it the country’s worst disaster since the 2004 tsunami.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, expressing grief over the ‘loss of lives and large-scale devastation.’ PM Modi assured additional assistance under Operation Sagar Bandhu, reaffirming India’s commitment to stand by Sri Lanka in its hour of crisis.
President Dissanayake thanked India for its swift deployment of rescue teams, naval support and emergency supplies, noting that the assistance had earned widespread appreciation across Sri Lanka.
