Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale briefed the media about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s schedule during his trip to the US starting from September 21. He also answered the question about India considering to go to any international organisation after Pakistan denied India’s request to allow PM Modi’s VVIP flight to use its airspace for the US visit via Germany.

Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale's response to Pakistan

Vijay Gokhale said, “It's an unfortunate situation where a country denies overflight to head of state or head of government of another country. But it's true when there's a normal country. We have made our position very clear and I hope Pakistan will realise the folly of its actions.” He continued by saying, “ As far as going to any international organisation is concerned, we'll take a look at that. So far there's no intention to do so. But if they're in violation of regulations of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, there is a possibility we can certainly consider.”

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MEA Spokesperson had expressed regret on the matter

Shortly after Pakistan had denied India’s request to use its airspace, the Indian Minister of External Affairs on Wednesday had issued a statement on the matter. In the statement, MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar had expressed regret that Pakistan government denied clearance for PM Modi's VVIP flight for the second time in two weeks, which he said is otherwise 'granted routinely by any normal country'. Asking Pakistan to reflect upon its decision to deviate from practice, MEA asked the neighbouring country to reconsider its old habit of misinterpreting the reasons for taking unilateral action.

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"We regret the decision of the Government of Pakistan to deny overflight clearance for the VVIP special flight for a second time in two weeks, which is otherwise granted routinely by any normal country. 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," MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in the statement.

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Pakistan denies entry in airspace

As per news agency ANI, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi had said that they had conveyed to the Indian High Commission in Islamabad that it will not allow the use of its airspace for PM Modi's flight to Germany on the September 21 and return on September 28. He cited the current situation of Kashmir as the reason for Pakistan's decision. "In the light of the current situation in Kashmir, India's attitude and atrocities there, we have decided to not allow our airspace for the flight of the Indian prime minister," Qureshi said in the matter.

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