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- Pakistan Request To Use Indian Airspace For Senthumanitarian Assistance To Cyclone Hit Sri Lanka
New Delhi2 hours ago
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C-130 aircraft of Pakistani Air Force – file photo
India has allowed Pakistan’s overflight carrying relief material for cyclone Ditvaah-hit Sri Lanka to pass through its airspace. This approval was given within just 4 hours.
Overflight: When a foreign aircraft passes over the border of a country but does not land there, it is called overflight.
A statement issued by the government said that Pakistan had requested to fly over Indian airspace at around 1 pm on Monday.
Pakistan had sought overflight permission on December 1 itself. Its purpose was said to be to provide humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka. In view of this, India processed the request very quickly.
During this, at 5.30 pm on Monday, Pakistani aircraft were given permission to pass through Indian airspace through official channels. This information was given to the Pakistan government.
It is noteworthy that after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, tension between India and Pakistan had increased. Due to this, first Pakistan, then India closed their airspace for each other’s aircraft.
Pakistani media claims- India did not open airspace
This statement of the officials came when Pakistani media said that New Delhi has refused permission to use its airspace for overflight. Officials termed these allegations as baseless and misleading.
Indian officials said the approval was a purely humanitarian move, despite Pakistan imposing a ban on the use of its airspace by Indian airlines.
Understand the path of Cyclone Ditwah from the map…
Know in 4 points why Pakistani aircraft are banned in Indian airspace…
- Tension had increased between the two countries after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir on April 22.
- India issued instructions to close its airspace to aircraft registered and operated in Pakistan from April 30, 2025.
- This step was taken when Pakistan itself closed its airspace to Indian aircraft on 24 April 2025 amid increasing tension between the two countries.
- According to reports, before the closure of Pakistan airspace, 100–150 Indian aircraft used to pass through Pakistani airspace every day.
Ditvaha wreaks havoc in Sri Lanka, 334 people killed
Cyclone Ditvah has caused massive floods in Sri Lanka. At least 334 people have been confirmed dead in Sri Lanka. 370 people are missing. More than 11 lakh people have been affected in the country. About 2 lakh people have left their homes and are living in shelter homes.
India has sent 53 tonnes of relief material to Sri Lanka under Operation Sagar Bandhu to deal with Cyclone Ditvaha. 9.5 tonnes of emergency ration has been sent to Colombo from two ships of the Indian Navy.
Three aircraft of the Indian Air Force have been deployed to airlift 31.5 tonnes of relief material including tents, tarpaulins, blankets, hygiene kits, ready-to-eat food items, medicines and surgical equipment.
Along with this, a medical team of five people and a special team of 80 people of NDRF have also been sent. Additionally, New Delhi has sent 12 more tonnes of relief material on board Indian Navy ship Sukanya (in Trincomalee), taking the total to 53 tonnes.
