Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s aircraft will not fly over Pakistan airspace on its way to Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan for the SCO summit starting Thursday. The decision came after India first requested Pakistan to open its airspace for the Indian PM and Islamabad agreed to do so.
“The Government of India had explored two options for the route to be taken by the VVIP aircraft to Bishkek. A decision has now been taken that the VVIP aircraft will fly via Oman, Iran and Central Asian countries on the way to Bishkek,” a External Affairs Ministry spokesperson said.
Pakistan PM Imran Khan too is attending the SCO meet.
Pakistan had closed its airspace on February 26 after IAF planes bombed a Jaish-e-Mohammed terror camp in Pakistan’s Balakot.