Published 21:03 IST, September 18th 2019
MEA tells Pakistan to 'reflect' on airspace denial to PM Modi's flight
Shortly after Pakistan denied India's request to allow PM Modi's flight to use its airspace for the US visit via Germany, the Indian MEA has issued a statement.
Shortly after Pakistan denied India's request to allow PM Modi's VVIP flight to use its airspace for the US visit via Germany, the Indian Minister of External Affairs on Wednesday has issued a statement on the matter. In the statement, MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar has expressed regret that Pakistan government denied clearance for PM Modi's VVIP flight for 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.
"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
Pakistan denies entry in airspace
As per news agency ANI, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has 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.
Earlier on September 7, Pakistan had refused India's request to allow President Ram Nath Kovind to use its airspace for his flight to Iceland. Furthermore, earlier in June, Pakistan had "specially" opened its airspace for PM Modi's flight to Bishkek for the SCO summit. However, India has denied using Pakistan's airspace for the air journey to Bishkek.
PM Modi's US visit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to travel to the US on September 21 where he will be addressing the ''Howdy Modi'' event on September 22. US President Donald Trump is also going to join PM Modi on the stage. At the event, PM Modi is going to address the largest gathering of Indian-Americans with 50,000 attendees reported to attend the event. After Texas, PM Modi will also address the UN General Assembly in New York on September 27.
Updated 21:54 IST, September 18th 2019