New Delhi: India on Wednesday regretted Pakistan denying overflight clearance to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's flight to the US later this week, saying that such clearances were otherwise "granted routinely by any normal country" and Islamabad should reflect upon its decision to deviate from well-established international practice.
India also said that Pakistan should reconsider its "old habit" of misrepresenting the reasons for taking unilateral action.
Responding to a query about denial of overflight clearance for the VVIP special flight by Pakistan, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said it was the second time in two weeks that Islamabad has denied overflight clearance.
"We regret the decision of the Government of Pakistan to deny overflight clearance for the VVIP special flight for a second time in two weeks, which is otherwise granted routinely by any normal country. Pakistan should reflect upon its decision to deviate from well established international practice, as well as reconsider its old habit of misrepresenting the reasons for taking unilateral action," he said.
Pakistan had earlier in the day rejected India's request to allow use of its air space for PM Modi's flight.
"We have conveyed to the Indian High Commission that we will not allow use of our air space for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's flight," Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said.