In a significant diplomatic development, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s plane has reportedly entered Pakistani airspace for the second time while returning from the United States, raising eyebrows given the ongoing tensions surrounding Kashmir. Aviation sources confirmed that the aircraft crossed into Pakistani territory from Afghanistan over Chitral at 5:45 PM and exited near Lahore at 6:30 PM, spending a total of 46 minutes in the airspace without prior permission from Pakistani authorities.
This incident occurred as Modi concluded a three-day trip to the US, where he participated in the Quad Leaders Summit and addressed the UN Future Summit. Notably, Indian officials did not seek approval before the flight, marking a continuation of a trend observed in August when Modi’s plane similarly traversed Pakistani airspace while returning from Poland.
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This development starkly contrasts with Pakistan’s firm stance in 2019, when the then-Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government denied India’s request for airspace use for Modi’s flight to Germany. At that time, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi cited India’s actions in occupied Kashmir and the resultant human rights violations as reasons for the rejection, framing it as a response to India’s oppressive behavior in the region.
The recurrence of such flights without official permission raises questions about diplomatic protocols and highlights the complexities of Indo-Pak relations amid lingering tensions. As both nations navigate these intricate dynamics, the international community will be watching closely.
