India allows Imran to use its airspace for Sri Lanka visit

NEW DELHI: India allowed Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s special aircraft to use the country’s airspace en route to Sri Lanka on Tuesday, people familiar with development said on condition of anonymity.

Khan flew to Sri Lanka in a Pakistan Air Force jet on a twoday visit. This is Khan’s maiden visit to the island nation after becoming Prime Minister in 2018 and he was accompanied by foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi.

After leaving Pakistani airspace, the jet flew along India’s coastline and over the Lakshadweep archipelago before landing in Colombo. Pakistan’s request for the special flight to use Indian airspace was made more than a week ago and the permission was granted on Monday, the people cited above added.

India’s decision to allow the special flight to use its airspace was in marked contrast to Pakistan’s action in 2019, when Islamabad denied permission for the use of Pakistani airspace by three Indian VVIP flights — including that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. At the time, ties between the two sides were at a low following the standoff triggered by the Pulwama suicide attack.