In preparations for the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Modi to the US, the Government of India has sought permission from the state of Pakistan to use its airspace.
It is pertinent to note here that after the February 27th Balakot air strike by the Indian Air Force, both countries had imposed air space bans which were subsequently lifted in the month of June.
Pakistan has re-imposed fresh restrictions after amendments to Article 370 of the Indian constitution which conferred special status to the former state of Jammu and Kashmir was done away with. In a series of diplomatic measures taken by Pakistan, the government also imposed air space restrictions which restricted all Indian commercial aircrafts from using the Pakistan air space.
ALSO READ: Barack Obama meets teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg
Permission was sought in the month of June from Pakistan to allow its air space to be used by the Prime Minister to fly to the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). The request was withdrawn immediately and the Prime Minister made his way through Oman.
Pakistan had also denied permission to President Ram Nath Kovind’s aircraft during his recent state visits to Iceland, Switzerland and Slovenia. It needs to be seen what Pakistan’s decision will be now.