India’s airspace blockade delays Pakistan’s aid for suffering Sri Lankans

Pakistan’s humanitarian mission to assist cyclone-hit Sri Lanka has been delayed after India refused to allow the use of its airspace for the delivery of aid, creating an unexpected obstacle for the relief effort. According to Geo News, a 45-member Urban Search and Rescue team of the Pakistan Army, prepared for deployment through a C-130 aircraft with the support of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Pakistan Air Force, was ready to depart for Sri Lanka. However, the mission could not proceed after India declined airspace permission for what Pakistan termed a purely humanitarian operation.