ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has accused India of preventing the delivery of humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka, which is grappling with the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah. The storm has caused severe flooding and landslides, claiming over 400 lives in the country. As a result, Pakistan had to shift its relief efforts to sea cargo after Indian authorities delayed air clearance for aid flights.
The Foreign Office (FO) reported on Tuesday that Pakistan’s special aircraft, carrying vital emergency supplies, had been waiting for clearance to fly for more than 60 hours. The FO claimed that the partial flight clearance issued by India was inadequate and impractical, as it was time-bound and did not allow for the return flight, hindering the urgent mission to assist Sri Lanka.
The Pakistan High Commission in Sri Lanka also condemned India’s actions, calling them politically motivated and in violation of international humanitarian standards. The high commission reiterated that the relief mission had been initiated under the direct instructions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, with national resources mobilized to support Sri Lanka. Despite being ready since Saturday, Pakistan’s relief operation had been stalled for more than two days due to the delay in flight clearance.
Pakistan’s emergency relief mission included C-130 aircraft carrying urban search and rescue teams, field hospitals, trained dogs, and nearly 200 tonnes of essential supplies. The high commission criticized India for repeatedly asking Pakistan to resubmit and reroute flight plans, even after all necessary documentation had been provided, further delaying the aid.
The FO’s statement added that India’s actions were a breach of the universally accepted norms for humanitarian conduct, undermining regional solidarity in times of tragedy. Pakistan called on India to adopt a more responsible approach and facilitate the timely delivery of aid, stressing that this was a purely humanitarian mission.
Later in the day, the FO confirmed that Pakistan had dispatched 200 tonnes of aid to Sri Lanka via sea due to the continued delay in obtaining flight clearance. A ceremony to mark the send-off was attended by Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Pakistan, Admiral Ravindra C Wijegunaratne, among other officials.
Sri Lanka is reeling from its worst natural disaster in decades, with more than 1.5 million people affected by the flooding. The country’s President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has declared a state of emergency as rescue efforts continue. The Disaster Management Centre reported that the death toll had reached 410, with over 336 people still missing. Despite some relief in rainfall, landslide alerts remain in effect in the hardest-hit regions.
In a related development, diplomatic sources revealed that Pakistan had received India’s permission to use its airspace for future humanitarian aid flights to Sri Lanka. However, the recent delays and procedural hurdles have raised concerns about the smooth operation of future relief missions.
