New Delhi, September 18: India reacted strongly to Pakistan's decision to deny airspace to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's US-bound flight on Wednesday. Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson, Raveesh Kumar, called Pakistan's decision regrettable and highlighted that this was the second such instance when Pakistan denied airspace to a VVIP special flight within two weeks. Earlier, President Ram Nath Kovind's flight was denied airspace by Pakistan. Pakistan Rejects India's Request, Will Not Allow Narendra Modi's US-Bound Plane to Fly Over its Airspace: Shah Mehmood Qureshi.

"We regret the decision of the Government of Pakistan to deny overflight clearance for the VVIP special flight for a second time in two weeks, which is otherwise granted routinely by any normal country," said Kumar. India Seeks Pakistan's Permission to Use Its Air Space For PM Narendra Modi's Flight to US.

"Pakistan should reflect upon its decision to deviate from well established international practice, as well as reconsider its old habit of misrepresenting the reasons for taking unilateral action," he clarified. Pakistan Denies Airspace Permit to Indian President Ram Nath Kovind, Cites New Delhi's 'Behaviour' in Kashmir.

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Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Wednesday put down India's formal request to allow the use of its air space for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's flight to the United States. This new development comes hours after India requested to Pakistan days ahead of 'Howdy Modi' event in Houston in Texas of United States of America on September 22. India Seeks Pakistan's Permission to Use Its Air Space For PM Narendra Modi's Flight to US.

Confirming the decision of Pakistan, Qureshi said, as quoted by news agency ANI, "We have conveyed to the Indian High Commission that we will not allow the use of our air space for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's flight."

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 18, 2019 10:15 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).