ISLAMABAD: Pakistan decided in principle to let Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s aircraft fly over its airspace to Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan where he has to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit on June13-14, where his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan would also be present.
A Foreign Office official confirmed to Indian news agency that the Pakistani government has approved in principle the Indian government’s request to let Prime Minister Modi’s aircraft fly over the Pakistani airspace to Bishkek.
“The Indian government will be conveyed about the decision once the procedural formalities are completed. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will also be directed to notify the airmen subsequently,” the official said, adding Pakistan was hopeful that India would respond to its offer for peace dialogue.
The Indian government had requested Pakistan to allow Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s aircraft to fly over Pakistani airspace on June 13.
India had sent a formal request in writing in this regard.
Modi will be attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Meanwhile, no meeting has been arranged between Prime Minister Imran Khan and Indian premier Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the SCO in Kyrgyzstan’s capital Bishkek.
In February, the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) announced closure of the country’s airspace for commercial flights. The decision was taken after the Pakistani army downed two Indian military jets that had crossed the Line of Control in disputed Kashmir region.
Pakistan has extended the ban until June 14.
In a rare exception, Pakistan had allowed Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to fly directly over Pakistani airspace while on her way to the SCO meeting.
