India: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s plane not to use Pakistan airspace
The VVIP plane will fly via Oman, Iran and the Central Asian countries on way to Bishkek
New Delhi: India on Wednesday made it clear that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s special plane will bypass Pakistan en route to Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan where he is going to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit on Thursday.
External Affairs Ministry spokesman Raveesh Kumar said here the VVIP aircraft will fly via Oman, Iran and the Central Asian countries on way to Bishkek.
“Government of India had explored two options for the route to be taken by the VVIP aircraft to Bishkek for the SCO Summit. A decision has now been taken that the VVIP Aircraft will fly via Oman, Iran and Central Asian countries on the way to Bishkek,” he said.
Pakistan had on Monday reportedly said it has decided “in principle” to allow the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s plane to fly over its airspace for the flight to Bishkek.
After India carried out air strike at Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror camp in Balakot on February 26, Pakistan had closed its airspace but lately opened two routes, which pass through southern parts of the country.