For Modi’s US trip, India asks Pakistan to allow PM’s plane to use its airspace

India has made a formal request to Pakistan to allow the use of its airspace for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s flight to the United States, Pakistani media has reported.

"India has formally requested Pakistan to allow the use of its air space for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's flight to New York, US. Pakistan to respond after consultations: Pakistan media," news agency reported on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit the US from September 21-27.

Earlier this month, Pakistan had denied permission to President Ram Nath Kovind's aircraft fly over it during an official trip to



Iceland.

"India regretted Pakistan's decision to deny overflight clearance for the VVIP special flight and said, We regret the decision of the government of Pakistan to deny overflight clearance for the VVIP special flight which is otherwise granted routinely by any normal country. We call upon Pakistan to recognise the futility of such unilateral actions," he had said.

Pakistan had fully closed its airspace in February after an Indian Air Force strike on a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror camp in Balakot. 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.