Jaishankar’s ‘PoK’ comment irks Pak
upon its decision to deviate from the well-established international practice, as well as reconsider its old habit of misrepresenting the reasons for taking unilateral action.”
Earlier, Pakistan had said on Wednesday it had rejected India’s request to allow Prime Minister Modi’s VVIP flight to use its airspace, citing “the current situation in Kashmir”.
Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, announcing its decision in a video statement, said the Indian high commissioner in Islamabad had been informed Pakistan’s decision.
“In light of the current situation in Kashmir, India’s attitude and atrocities there, we have decided to not allow use of our airspace for the Indian PM’s flight,” he added.
India’s Air India One aircraft carry the country’s three top VVIPs — the President, vice-president and Prime Minister — on official overseas visits.
Interestingly, Pakistan had given permission for an earlier VVIP flight carrying Mr Modi to travel to France in August-end for his official visit to France, of External affairs minister S. Jaishankar’s comment that India will one day have “physical jurisdiction” over Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) has triggered a war of words with a stung Pakistan which asked the ‘international community to take serious cognisance of India’s aggressive posturing about taking physical jurisdiction’ of ... (PoK)’.
Alleging that such “irresponsible and belligerent statements have the potential to further escalate tensions and seriously jeopardise peace and security
after which a hue and cry erupted in Pakistan.
After that, in the first week of September, the decision to deny overflight clearance for President Kovind’s plane had been approved by Pakistan PM Imran Khan in view of the “tense” situation in in the region”, Islamabad said it “stands for peace, but would be ready to respond effectively to any act of aggression”. The statement was issued by the Pakistan Foreign Office late on Tuesday night.
The latest verbal clash comes ahead of the expected Indo-Pak face-off at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on September 27 when the Prime Ministers of the two countries are expected to speak within hours of each other. At the UNGA, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to raise the issue of terrorism strongly.
Kashmir, according to a statement issued then by Mr Qureshi. The VVIP flight with President Kovind took an alternate route over the Arabian Sea, that meant more hours of flying time to Europe and other destinations westwards.