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Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We reject the ridiculous statement made by Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, which is yet another attempt to spread anti-India misinformation.”
He said the request for flight clearance for a Pakistani aircraft carrying humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka was received by the Indian High Commission in Islamabad at around 1 pm on Monday.
“Given the urgency of humanitarian assistance, the Government of India quickly processed the request on the same day and granted permission for the flight as per the proposed itinerary at 5:30 pm on December 1,” Jaiswal said.
Responding to media queries on the issue, he said, “India is committed to assist the people of Sri Lanka in all available ways in these challenging times.”
Jaiswal’s comments came hours after Pakistan alleged that its relief operations for cyclone-hit Sri Lanka were being “hindered due to lack of cooperation” by India as it had delayed permission to use its airspace.
The Pakistan Foreign Office alleged, “India has continuously obstructed the delivery of humanitarian aid from Pakistan to Sri Lanka. Special aircraft carrying humanitarian aid from Pakistan to Sri Lanka are facing delays of more than 60 hours awaiting flight clearance from India.”
Sri Lanka is battling floods, landslides and infrastructure collapse due to the cyclone.
India has launched Operation Sagar Bandhu to help the island nation recover from the devastation.
At least 410 people have been killed and 336 are missing as of Tuesday morning in the devastating floods and landslides, according to Sri Lankan officials.