'Baseless': India rejects Pakistan's airspace refusal claims to deliver aid to flood-hit Sri Lanka
PTC News Desk: India swiftly approved Pakistan’s request to use its airspace for an aid flight carrying relief supplies to cyclone-affected Sri Lanka, strongly denying claims in Pakistani media that New Delhi had refused permission.
Officials said Pakistan submitted the overflight request around 1 pm (IST) on Monday, asking for same-day clearance. Since the purpose was humanitarian assistance for Sri Lanka, India processed the request urgently.
Approval was granted and formally conveyed to Pakistan by 5:30 pm the same day—within just four hours, officials noted.
They stressed that the decision was purely humanitarian, even though Pakistan continues to restrict Indian airlines from using its airspace. The clarification came after some Pakistani media reports alleged that India had blocked the aid flight—claims Indian officials called “false and misleading.”
Sri Lanka is currently dealing with severe flooding caused by Cyclone Ditwah, which has resulted in at least 334 deaths and rising water levels in parts of Colombo.
Under Operation Sagar Bandhu, India has already sent 53 tons of relief supplies to Sri Lanka. This includes 9.5 tons of emergency food items from two Indian Navy ships in Colombo, and 31.5 tons of materials airlifted by three IAF aircraft—such as tents, blankets, hygiene kits, ready-to-eat meals, medicines, surgical supplies, BHISHM medical cubes, a five-member medical training team, and 80 NDRF Urban Search and Rescue personnel.
India has also sent an additional 12 tons of relief supplies via Indian Navy Ship Sukanya to Trincomalee, taking the total assistance to 53 tons.
- With inputs from agencies
