New Delhi: In a recent development, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s aircraft, known as “India 1,” utilized Pakistani airspace while en route to Paris. According to ARY News, citing civil aviation sources, the aircraft entered Pakistani airspace via Sheikhupura, Hafizabad, Chakwal, and Kohat, remaining within Pakistan’s borders for approximately 46 minutes.
Permission Due to Afghan Airspace Closure
ARY News reported that the decision to allow PM Modi’s aircraft to traverse Pakistan’s airspace was necessitated by the closure of Afghan airspace. This is not the first instance of Modi’s plane using Pakistani airspace; in August 2024, during a return journey from Poland to Delhi, the aircraft similarly flew over Pakistan, remaining within its airspace for 46 minutes after entering around 11 PM.
India-Pakistan Airspace Relations
Pakistan had previously imposed airspace restrictions following heightened tensions with India. In March 2019, after keeping its airspace closed for nearly five months, Pakistan lifted restrictions on civilian flights. This closure was in response to the military escalation between the two nations following the Pulwama attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 44 Indian paramilitary personnel.
Later, in August 2019, following the Indian government’s decision to revoke Articles 370 and 35A, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan downgraded diplomatic relations with India and suspended bilateral trade. Since then, relations between the two countries have remained tense, with limited diplomatic and trade engagement.
The latest development underscores the complex nature of India-Pakistan relations, where geopolitical necessities often dictate pragmatic decisions despite ongoing political tensions.
