The Indian government has firmly dismissed reports emerging from Pakistan that New Delhi refused permission for Pakistani aircraft carrying humanitarian aid to fly over Indian airspace en route to cyclone-hit Sri Lanka. According to Indian officials familiar with the matter, the allegations circulating in Pakistani media are “baseless, misleading, and entirely fabricated.”

Officials confirmed that Pakistan submitted an official request for overflight clearance at 1 pm IST on Monday, seeking same-day permission to transport relief supplies to Sri Lanka in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah. Given the humanitarian nature of the mission, India processed and approved the request “expeditiously” within just four hours, communicating the clearance to Pakistani authorities through formal diplomatic channels by 5:30 pm IST.

India Says Humanitarian Consideration Guided the Decision

One official noted that the approval was granted despite Pakistan’s own ongoing restrictions on Indian carriers. Islamabad has continued to bar Indian commercial airlines from using its airspace, a policy introduced amid escalating bilateral tensions. Even so, Indian authorities emphasized that humanitarian principles took precedence.

“This gesture by India, despite the Pakistani side having banned the use of its airspace by Indian airlines, was done purely on humanitarian grounds,” a source said.

Officials added that India’s decisions on overflight requests are based strictly on established procedures, operational assessments, and international aviation norms—never on political considerations.

India Accuses Pakistani Media of Spreading Falsehoods

Indian officials criticised Pakistani media outlets for spreading what they described as deliberate misinformation. Reports from Islamabad had claimed that India had denied overflight permission for aircraft carrying urgently needed relief for Sri Lanka, which has been grappling with the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah.

According to Indian sources, such claims are part of a broader trend of disinformation campaigns originating from Pakistan, including misleading statements amplified by official diplomatic social media accounts. They pointed to a recent incident in which the Pakistani mission in London circulated false narratives regarding India’s participation in an Oxford Union debate.

“These allegations are baseless and misleading. All requests for overflight or transit are processed strictly in accordance with established procedures and international norms,” an official reiterated, calling the reports not only inaccurate but “irresponsible.”

Humanitarian Crisis in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka requested emergency assistance from neighbouring countries after Cyclone Ditwah caused severe damage, heavy flooding, and disruption to critical infrastructure. Both India and Pakistan have offered support to Colombo, and India has been among the first responders, dispatching relief teams, naval resources, and medical aid.

Officials underscored that India’s quick clearance of Pakistan’s overflight request aligns with its longstanding principle of prioritising humanitarian needs above political or bilateral disputes.

Emphasis on Transparency and Procedure

Reaffirming its stance, India said decisions regarding airspace access are always undertaken following a structured process involving technical, security, and operational analysis. The officials stressed that these systems ensure neutrality and fairness regardless of geopolitical tensions.

“The reports in Pakistani media are inaccurate and irresponsible,” one of the officials said. “India’s actions speak for themselves.”

The Indian government’s statement aims to put to rest speculation while underscoring its commitment to humanitarian cooperation—even with countries with which it shares a fraught diplomatic relationship.