India grants permission to Imran Khan's aircraft to use airspace for travel to Sri Lanka
Pakistan had requested for use of air space, which India granted permission. As per required protocol, whenever heads of state or governments pass through the air space of any other country, that country is alerted and due permission taken.
FollowNew Delhi: Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan will be using Indian Air space for travel to Sri Lanka. He will be on a 2-day visit to the country from 23 February onwards.
Pakistan had requested for use of air space, which India granted permission. As per required protocol, whenever heads of state or governments pass through the air space of any other country, that country is alerted and due permission taken.
In September 2019, Pakistan denied the use of its airspace for President Kovind's plane during his Europe visit. In the same month, it denied overflight to PM Modi's plane to attend the UNGA session, followed by no permission to Air India one during PM's Saudi Arabia visit in October 2019.
On denial of overflight clearance for a VVIP special flight by Pakistan, the MEA had said Pakistan was deviating from well-established international practice.
India had also taken up the denial of permission to VVIP flight with the International Civil Aviation Organisation.
This will be Imran Khan’s first visit to the country since the Covid-19 pandemic, and is scheduled to hold talks with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena during the visit.
