KUALA LUMPUR: It looks like there is nothing straight forward when it comes to the tensed relations between India and Pakistan, as Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad found out recently.
Apparently, Dr Mahathir had to take a much longer route over the Arabian Sea and cruise as far as Oman before returning to Islamabad after his plane was allegedly denied rights to fly over Indian airspace enroute to Pakistan.
Pakistani media quoting official sources claimed that permission for the prime minister’s plane to enter Indian airspace was withdrawn at the last minute.
However, Indian officials who declined to be named said the incident happened due to Islamabad’s own ruling which blocks flights over India from landing in Pakistan.
"Therefore, even though the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had given overflight clearance to the Malaysian Prime Minister’s flight, the plane had to take a longer route because Pakistan denied permission.
"The reports regarding denial of overflight by India to Malaysian Prime Minister on his recent trip are false and motivated," the official said when contacted.
It was reported Dr Mahathir went to Pakistan to discuss possibilities of enhanced bilateral trade and to attend the country’s National Day Parade on March 23.
The official also questioned why Pakistan could not make an exception to the Malaysian leader's flight to reach Islamabad by flying over Indian airspace since he was there to attend their national day as a guest.
Another official noted that all flights, including international flights, flying westward from or over Pakistan are not being allowed to fly over India by Pakistan even though India hasn't placed any restriction.
Pakistan's airspace has remained partially closed since late February when tension between both countries escalated after the Indian Air Force conducted an air strike on an alleged Jaish-e-Mohammed training camp in Balakot, Khyber Pakhtunwa province.
The air strike on February 26 was in retaliation to the suicide attack on a security convoy in Jammu and Kashmir which left over 40 soldiers dead.
A day later, the Pakistan Air Force dropped bombs on Indian territory from its side of the Line of Control.
Since then, the Pakistan civil aviation authority has denied permission to planes overflying India to enter Pakistani airspace.