World Body responds as Pakistan denies airspace to PM Modi's flight

A day after India took the matter of Pakistan denial of airspace to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to international body, it has responded to India's request. Acknowledging the complaint, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Flights carrying national leaders are considered as "state aircraft" and are not subject to its provisions. It added that its cooperation is limited to civilian aircraft. 

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"The Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention), which ICAO helps governments to cooperate under, only applies to the operations of civilian aircraft and not to state or military aircraft," the ICAO spokesperson said. "Flights carrying national leaders are considered state aircraft, and are therefore not subject to ICAO provisions," the spokesperson added. The ICAO is a specialised UN agency and its main job is to manage the administration and governance of the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention).

READ: Pak turns down India's request to open airspace for PM Modi's flight

India takes matter to ICAO

India had taken up Pakistan's denial of use of its airspace to the prime minister's flight with the ICAO, government sources said on Monday ahead of PM Modi's visit to Saudi Arabia on a bilateral visit. India sought overflight clearance from Pakistan for the prime minister's aircraft to go to Saudi Arabia on Monday. However, Islamabad cited alleged human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir to deny the request. 

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Pakistan denies airspace 

Pakistan has yet again rejected an official request by India to let Prime Minister Narendra Modi use its airspace, the Foreign Ministry stated on Sunday. According to the statement issued by the Foreign Ministry, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said the decision had been taken to show solidarity on a black day being marked by Pakistan, and in light of the recent human rights violations by the Indian forces in "occupied" Kashmir. Islamabad would inform the Indian High Commissioner of the decision through a written statement, he added. In September, Pakistan denied overflight clearance to the prime minister's aircraft during his visit to the US.

(with PTI inputs)

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