Islamabad, August 26: Pakistani media on Sunday (August 25) was buzzing with reports alleging that the aircraft carrying Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an “unexpected” 46-minute journey through Pakistani airspace while returning from a historic visit to Poland. The incident has sparked significant attention and debate, particularly given the strained relations between the two neighboring countries.
According to a report by The Dawn, one of Pakistan’s leading daily newspapers, Prime Minister Modi’s aircraft entered Pakistani airspace from Chitral and flew over key locations, including Islamabad and Lahore, before crossing into Indian territory over Amritsar. The report highlighted that the Indian Prime Minister’s flight bypassed the usual protocol of sending a goodwill message to the host nation while flying over its airspace, a move that some in the Pakistani media interpreted as a snub.
Media reaction and diplomatic context
Pakistani media outlets have expressed varying degrees of concern and criticism over the incident. The reports emphasize the already tense relations between India and Pakistan, two nuclear-armed neighbors with a history of conflict. The lack of a goodwill message, which is considered a gesture of respect in international diplomacy, has been particularly noted. However, it’s important to note that according to aviation industry sources quoted in the same reports, sending a goodwill message is optional and not a compulsory requirement under international aviation protocols.
The incident comes at a time when relations between India and Pakistan remain far from normal. The two countries have fought multiple wars since their independence in 1947, and the diplomatic ties have been especially strained in recent years due to various incidents, including the Pulwama terror attack in February 2019, which led to a series of escalations between the two nations.
The flight path and airspace permissions
Sources within Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) reportedly confirmed that the Indian Prime Minister’s plane did indeed pass through Pakistani airspace. The aircraft’s route took it from Chitral, a region in northern Pakistan, over the nation’s capital Islamabad, and the city of Lahore, before entering Indian airspace over Amritsar. Despite the attention this route has garnered, it is essential to recognize that Prime Ministerial aircraft typically operate under blanket permissions that allow them to traverse international airspaces without requiring specific consent each time.
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This is a standard practice in international aviation, especially for state aircraft carrying heads of state or government. The blanket permissions are part of pre-existing diplomatic and aviation agreements, allowing for seamless international travel by dignitaries. As such, the flight’s passage over Pakistan does not represent a breach of protocol or an unusual occurrence in the realm of international air travel.
Historical context and airspace restrictions
The report also draws attention to the history of airspace restrictions between India and Pakistan. Following the Pulwama terror attack on February 14, 2019, and the subsequent Indian surgical strikes on February 26, 2019, Pakistan closed its airspace to Indian flights. This closure was part of the broader fallout from the escalated tensions between the two countries. While Pakistan later reopened its airspace partially in March 2019, restrictions on Indian flights have persisted, underscoring the ongoing diplomatic and military tensions.
The reports of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s aircraft flying through Pakistani airspace have generated considerable discussion within Pakistan. However, aviation experts and diplomatic sources have pointed out that such flights are not unusual and are governed by international norms and agreements. The absence of a goodwill message, while noted, does not constitute a violation of protocol, as it is not a mandatory requirement.
This incident underscores the complex and often strained relationship between India and Pakistan, where even routine matters can become points of contention. As both nations continue to navigate their diplomatic and security challenges, incidents like these serve as a reminder of the delicate balance required in their interactions.
