ISLAMABAD (MNN) – Pakistan’s Foreign Office said on Tuesday that India was preventing Islamabad from sending emergency humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka by air, forcing Pakistan to dispatch the relief shipment by sea instead. Sri Lanka is grappling with severe flooding and landslides caused by Cyclone Ditwah, which have claimed more than 400 lives.
In a post on X, the Foreign Office stated that a special aircraft carrying humanitarian supplies had been awaiting India’s flight clearance for over 60 hours. It said India issued partial clearance after 48 hours, but the approval was valid only for a few hours and did not include permission for the return flight, making the operation unworkable.
Later, the Pakistan High Commission in Colombo also accused India of blocking the relief mission through what it described as “shenanigans” and “delaying tactics”. It said Pakistan’s C-130 aircraft—carrying a fully equipped urban search and rescue team, field hospitals, trained sniffing dogs, and 200 tonnes of life-saving supplies—remained stranded at Noor Khan Air Base due to India’s refusal to grant sufficient flight clearance.
According to the statement, the relief effort had been launched on the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who ordered immediate mobilisation of national resources. The Pakistan Army and NDMA had been prepared to fly out since Saturday.
The High Commission said Indian authorities repeatedly asked Pakistan to re-route or resubmit flight plans despite having complete documentation already, adding that the behaviour violated international humanitarian principles, UN guidelines, and SAARC’s humanitarian charter.
It urged India to grant full and practical flight clearance, stressing that the mission carried a message of solidarity from the people of Pakistan to Sri Lanka.
With the continued delay, Pakistan dispatched 200 tonnes of aid via sea cargo instead. The FO said the shipment was seen off at a ceremony attended by Sri Lankan High Commissioner Admiral Ravindra C. Wijegunaratne.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif wrote on X that he had spoken with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, offering condolences and reaffirming Pakistan’s support during what Colombo has called the worst natural disaster in its history.
Diplomatic sources earlier said India had agreed to allow overflight for humanitarian missions, but tensions remain high since both countries closed airspace to one another following clashes earlier this year.
Sri Lanka has declared a state of emergency as the death toll from the flooding rose to 410, with 336 people still missing. More than 1.5 million people have been affected. Officials warned the toll could rise further as search teams continue working in landslide-hit areas.
