MEA Responds to Pakistan’s Claim of Overflight Clearance

India swiftly dismissed Pakistan’s claims regarding delayed flight clearance for humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka on Tuesday, calling the allegations “ridiculous” and an attempt to spread “anti-India misinformation.”

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal provided a detailed timeline of events, emphasizing that India responded with urgency to Pakistan’s overflight request. According to Jaiswal, the Indian High Commission in Islamabad received the request around 1300 hours on December 1, and approval was granted by 1730 hours the same day.

“Given the urgency of humanitarian assistance, the Government of India processed the request expeditiously the same day and granted the overflight permission as per the itinerary proposed,” Jaiswal stated, countering Pakistan’s narrative that India was obstructing relief efforts.

The diplomatic exchange comes as Sri Lanka continues to grapple with the devastating aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, which has caused catastrophic flooding, landslides, and widespread infrastructure damage across the island nation. The Sri Lankan Disaster Management Centre reports at least 410 deaths and 336 people still missing due to extreme weather incidents since November 16.

Despite India’s explanation of prompt clearance, Pakistan’s Foreign Office maintained its accusations on social media platform X, claiming that “India continues to block humanitarian assistance from Pakistan to Sri Lanka.” The Pakistani statement alleged that an aircraft had been waiting “for over 60 hours now” for airspace access.

Pakistan further claimed that the clearance India issued was “operationally impractical: time-bound for just a few hours and without validity for the return flight,” which they said severely hindered their relief mission.

The diplomatic row took an additional turn when Pakistan’s High Commission in Sri Lanka shared photos of relief items they had dispatched, stating that “Relief packages from Pakistan have been successfully delivered to assist our brothers and sisters affected by the recent floods in Sri Lanka, which signifies our unwavering solidarity.” However, social media users quickly pointed out visible expiry dates of October 2024 on some of the supplies, raising questions about the quality of aid being provided.

India has maintained that it remains fully committed to supporting Sri Lanka during this crisis. New Delhi has launched “Operation Sagar Bandhu” to provide comprehensive relief, restoration, and emergency support across affected districts in Sri Lanka, underscoring the long-standing relationship between the two neighboring countries.

This exchange highlights the continuing tensions between India and Pakistan, with humanitarian aid becoming the latest flashpoint in their complex diplomatic relationship. Both nations have historically competed for influence in the South Asian region, particularly with smaller neighbors like Sri Lanka.

Regional analysts note that natural disasters in the region often become opportunities for neighboring countries to demonstrate their support and strengthen diplomatic ties. Sri Lanka, positioned strategically in the Indian Ocean, maintains important relationships with both India and Pakistan.

For Sri Lanka, the immediate concern remains recovery from Cyclone Ditwah’s destruction. The country is currently focused on rescue operations, providing temporary shelter to displaced persons, and beginning the enormous task of rebuilding infrastructure in the affected areas.

As relief efforts continue, the diplomatic positioning between India and Pakistan serves as a reminder of how regional politics can sometimes complicate humanitarian responses in times of crisis, even as both countries express their commitment to supporting the Sri Lankan people.