Pakistan rejects India's request to use its airspace for PM plane

New Delhi: Pakistan has denied India's request to allow Prime Minister Modi's plane to pass via its airspace for his upcoming visit to the United States. Earlier in the day, India had sent a former request to Pakistan to allow the use of its airspace for Prime Minister's upcoming US visit on September 21-27.

"India has formally requested Pakistan to allow the use of its airspace for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's flight to New York. Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said the country will not allow the Indian prime minister's plane to pass through its airspace.

After India made the request, Islamabad said it would announce its decision after consultations. However, Pakistan has now made it clear that it will not let India use its airspace.

Earlier this month, Pakistan had also denied permission to a plane carrying Indian President Ram Nath Kovind, to fly over its airspace during an official trip. Pakistan had fully closed its airspace in February for India after an IAF strike on a Balakot-based Jaish-e-Mohammed terror camp.

The country opened its airspace for all flights except for New Delhi, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur on March 27. The country fully opened its airspace for all civilian traffic on July 16.