India has officially closed its airspace to Pakistani airlines following escalating diplomatic tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
The decision comes just days after Pakistan barred Indian carriers from flying over its territory in response to a deadly attack in Kashmir that left 26 tourists dead.
According to a notice to airmen (NOTAM) issued by the Indian government on Wednesday, the ban on Pakistani flights will be in effect from April 30 to May 23.
The move follows Pakistan’s accusation that India is engaging in provocations aimed at escalating the conflict. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif raised these concerns in a phone call with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, condemning what he described as India’s aggressive posture.
Islamabad released a statement highlighting Sharif’s denunciation of what he called India’s provocative and escalatory behavior.
The US State Department confirmed that Secretary Rubio had initiated contact with both Indian and Pakistani counterparts, urging restraint and calling on both sides to avoid worsening the situation.
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