‘Ridiculous’: India Rubbishes Pakistan’s Airspace Denial Claim Over Sri Lanka Aid Flight Clearance

India on Tuesday dismissed Pakistan’s allegation that New Delhi delayed granting overflight clearance, calling the claim “ridiculous.” The Ministry of External Affairs clarified that Islamabad had submitted

its request around 1 pm (IST) on December 1, 2025, seeking permission for an aircraft to use Indian airspace for a humanitarian mission to Sri Lanka - and that the clearance was issued the very same day.Hitting out at Pakistan for spreading anti-India misinformation, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, in a statement, said, "We reject the ridiculous statement made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan which is yet another attempt of spreading anti-India misinformation. The request for overflight clearance for Pakistani aircraft carrying humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka was received by the High Commission of India in Islamabad at around 1300 hrs on December 1, 2025. Given the urgency of humanitarian assistance, the Government of India processed the request expeditiously the same day and granted the overflight permission as per the itinerary proposed at 1730 hrs on December 01, 2025." The MEA added that India remains committed to supporting the people of Sri Lanka during these difficult times through every available channel.Also Read: Pakistan's Anti-India Fake News Over Sri Lanka Relief Busted – Expired ‘Evidence’ Again?India also flagged what it described as a growing pattern of misinformation from Pakistan, pointing out that this episode comes on the heels of recent attempts by Pakistani media and official channels to circulate incorrect narratives - including fabricated claims about India’s participation in an Oxford Union debate. Pakistani media circulated misleading claims that India had denied airspace to Islamabad for humanitarian aid flights bound for flood-hit Sri Lanka.

India First Responder: 53 Tonnes Relief Material Delivered, 2000 People Brought Back

India launched Operation Sagar Bandhu to aid crisis-hit Sri Lanka. Under Operation Sagar Bandhu, India delivered 53 tonnes of relief material to Sri Lanka via air and sea since November 28, while more than 2000 stranded Indians were brought back.In coordination with the Sri Lanka Air Force, Chetak helicopters from India Navy's aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and MI-17 helicopters of the IAF conducted extensive rescue operations, airlifting stranded people, including pregnant women, infants, and those critically injured.India also deployed three IAF aircraft for airlifting another 31.5 tons of relief materials, including tents, tarpaulins, blankets, hygiene kits, ready-to-eat food items, medicines and surgical equipment, two BHISHM cubes along with a five-person medical team for on-site training, and 80-person special Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to assist in rescue efforts; and despatched another 12 tons of relief supplies on-board Indian Navy Ship Sukanya.