New Delhi: Giving scant regard for international norms and civility, the Pakistan government has denied airspace to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s flight. Modi is to fly to the United States to attend United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
India responded by saying that Pakistan should reflect upon its decision and to reconsider its old habit of misrepresenting the reasons for taking unilateral action.
Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson, Raveesh Kumar said, 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.”
He added, “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.”
Earlier, Pakistan Foreign Minister, Shah Mehmood Qureshi said, “We have conveyed to the Indian High Commission that we will not allow the use of our air space for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s flight
He added that the decision was taken in the wake of “India’s atrocities and human rights violations in Kashmir”.
Pakistan had also denied airspace to Indian President Ram Nath Kovind’s flight to Iceland. The Islamic country, which has lost all hopes of internationalizing the Kashmir issue, has begun to deny airspace to Indian President and Prime Minister in order to score some brownie points from the people.