India grants swift overflight permission to Pakistan for cyclone relief to Sri Lanka

India granted rapid clearance for a Pakistani aircraft carrying relief material for cyclone-hit Sri Lanka, firmly rejecting “baseless and misleading” claims circulating in some Pakistani media that New Delhi had denied overflight permission.

Officials said Pakistan submitted its request at around 1300 hrs (IST) on Monday, seeking same-day clearance to fly over Indian airspace. Given the urgent humanitarian nature of the mission, India processed the request within four hours and officially communicated approval to Pakistan by 1730 hrs (IST) the same day. Authorities emphasised that the clearance was purely humanitarian, provided despite Pakistan continuing to restrict Indian airlines’ use of its airspace.

The move reflects India’s ability to separate humanitarian needs from political tensions. By granting swift clearance, New Delhi signalled its commitment to regional humanitarian cooperation while also demonstrating operational efficiency in crisis response. Officials noted that such fast-track approvals can set a precedent for future humanitarian overflights, even amid broader bilateral airspace restrictions.

The claims of refusal reported in Pakistani media were described by Indian officials as “completely unfounded.” These reports, officials said, misrepresented the timeline and facts, with the clearance actually processed within hours of the request. The incident illustrates the importance of clear government communication during cross-border humanitarian operations and highlights the role of humanitarian diplomacy in de-escalating potential misunderstandings.

Sri Lanka is grappling with devastating floods triggered by Cyclone Ditwah, which has claimed at least 334 lives. As part of its ongoing emergency response under Operation Sagar Bandhu, India has dispatched 53 tonnes of relief materials. This includes 9.5 tonnes delivered by Indian Navy ships in Colombo, 31.5 tonnes airlifted by three Indian Air Force aircraft comprising tents, tarpaulins, blankets, hygiene kits, ready-to-eat food, medicines, surgical equipment, and training teams and an 80-member specialised Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). An additional 12 tonnes of supplies are en route aboard Indian Navy Ship Sukanya to Trincomalee.

While this incident is unlikely to alter overall India–Pakistan airspace policies, it underscores how humanitarian considerations can temporarily override political tensions. It sets a precedent for faster approvals in crisis situations and highlights India’s role as a responsible regional actor, capable of operationally separating humanitarian cooperation from ongoing bilateral disputes.