Did India refuse airspace clearance to Pakistan’s flight carrying aid to Sri Lanka? India clarifies, exposes Islamabad’s propaganda again

India's reaction came in the wake of reports by certain Pakistani media outlets claiming that India "refused to grant airspace" for the aid flights.

India has quickly approved Pakistan’s aid flight carrying relief supplies for cyclone-hit Sri Lanka. Officials also dismissed the “false and misleading” reports in some Pakistani media that claimed India had refused permission for the flight to use its airspace. According to Indian officials, Pakistan sent the formal request at about 1 PM on 1 December asking for same-day clearance. India gave the approval around 4 hours later.

An official said, “Pakistan sent us their overflight request at 1 PM today. Since the flight was carrying aid for Sri Lanka, we cleared it quickly. We informed Pakistan at 5:30 PM through official channels. The permission was processed in just four hours, which is very fast.”

Officials emphasised that this clearance was a purely humanitarian gesture, made despite Pakistan maintaining a ban on Indian airlines’ use of its airspace.

Sri Lanka is suffering huge damage after Cyclone Ditwah. More than 200 people have died, and many families have lost their homes. The government has declared a national emergency.

Because the disaster is so large, Sri Lanka has asked neighbouring countries for help. India is leading the relief work, sending ships, aircraft and disaster-response teams to support rescue and recovery efforts.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke on the phone with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. He offered condolences for the lives lost and the large-scale destruction caused by the cyclone. Modi also assured that India would send more help under Operation Sagar Bandhu, the Prime Minister’s Office said.

Modi told the Sri Lankan President that India stands strongly with the people of Sri Lanka during this difficult time. President Dissanayake thanked India for sending rescue teams, naval support and emergency supplies, saying people across Sri Lanka appreciated the quick response.

India said that, under its Vision Mahasagar, it will continue to act as the region’s first responder and will keep providing whatever assistance Sri Lanka needs in the coming days.