A rare moment of humanity broke through regional tensions as India fast-tracked overflight permission for Pakistan’s relief aircraft heading to flood-ravaged Sri Lanka.
India has granted overflight clearance to Pakistani aircraft carrying emergency relief supplies for Sri Lanka, marking a significant humanitarian gesture during a period of strained bilateral relations. According to reports, Pakistan submitted its formal request at around 13:00 IST on 1 December 2025, seeking permission for its aircraft to fly across Indian airspace while transporting aid for Sri Lanka’s cyclone-hit communities. Indian authorities processed the request on priority and approved it by 17:30 IST the same day, completing the entire procedure in nearly four hours.
The decision was made purely on humanitarian grounds, even though both countries continue to enforce mutual airspace closures. These restrictions have remained in place since heightened tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s counter-terrorism Operation Sindoor earlier this year. Claims circulated by some Pakistani media outlets that India had denied the request were inaccurate.
India is carrying out a major disaster relief mission titled Operation Sagar Bandhu to support Sri Lanka in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah. The aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, frigate INS Udayagiri and offshore patrol vessel Sukanya are taking part in the operation by extending lifesaving supplies. Chetak helicopters operating from Vikrant and Indian Air Force Mi 17 helicopters, working together with the Sri Lankan Air Force, have rescued hundreds of stranded people, including infants, pregnant women and the critically injured. Foreign nationals have also been rescued, including one Pakistani citizen. India has delivered 53 tonnes of emergency relief materials so far.
