India has swiftly approved Pakistan’s request for overflight clearance to deliver humanitarian aid to cyclone-ravaged Sri Lanka, rejecting as “false and misleading” certain Pakistani media reports suggesting New Delhi had denied permission for the relief flight.
According to senior Indian officials, Pakistan submitted the request around 1 p.m. on December 1, seeking same-day approval for an aircraft carrying relief supplies. India granted the clearance within four hours.
“Pakistan sent us their overflight request at 1 p.m. today. Since the flight was carrying humanitarian aid for Sri Lanka, we cleared it quickly,” an official said. “We conveyed the approval at 5:30 p.m. through official channels. Processing time was just four hours, which is exceptionally fast.”
Officials underlined that the decision was taken purely on humanitarian grounds, even though Pakistan continues to prohibit Indian carriers from using its airspace.
Sri Lanka is reeling from the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, which has resulted in over 200 deaths and widespread destruction of homes and infrastructure. The government has declared a national emergency as thousands of families struggle with displacement and severe shortages of essential supplies. In response, neighbouring nations have been mobilised for assistance, with India leading the regional relief effort by dispatching ships, aircraft and specialised disaster-response teams.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to express condolences over the loss of lives and the scale of destruction. Modi assured that India would ramp up support under Operation Sagar Bandhu, the Prime Minister’s Office said.
The Prime Minister reiterated that India “stands strongly with the people of Sri Lanka” in this difficult hour. President Dissanayake expressed gratitude for India’s rapid deployment of rescue teams, naval assistance and emergency supplies, acknowledging the widespread appreciation among Sri Lankan citizens.
India reaffirmed that, under its Vision Mahasagar, it will continue to act as the region’s first responder and extend all necessary assistance to Sri Lanka in the days ahead.
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