India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) strongly criticised Pakistan on Tuesday for alleging that New Delhi denied it permission to use Indian airspace to transport humanitarian aid to cyclone-hit Sri Lanka. Calling Islamabad’s accusation “ridiculous” and “yet another attempt at spreading anti-India misinformation”, the MEA said the claim was baseless.

According to the MEA:

• Pakistan’s request for overflight clearance was received by the Indian High Commission in Islamabad at 1 pm on December 1.
• India processed the request “expeditiously”, granting approval the same day at 5:30 pm, in line with the flight itinerary proposed.
• Officials emphasized that the clearance was granted on humanitarian grounds, despite Pakistan having previously banned Indian airlines from using its airspace.

Sources cited in the report noted that the clearance was given within four hours, contrary to Pakistan’s allegations.

Indian officials also accused sections of the Pakistani media of spreading “propaganda” and “fake news”, stressing that all overflight permissions are handled according to operational, technical, and security procedures, not political considerations.

India reiterated its commitment to supporting Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the devastating cyclone.

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