New Delhi, Sep 18 (UNI) India on Wednesday flayed Pakistan for not opening its airspace for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's flight to the United States and said such mannerism is a "deviation" from well established international practice.
"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," MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said here in reply to a question.
He said: "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".
On September 7, India on Saturday 'regretted' the unilateral decision of the Pakistan government to deny overflight clearance for President Ram Nath Kovind's flight saying such clearance are otherwise 'granted routinely'.
"We call upon Pakistan to recognise the futility of such unilateral actions," Mr Kumar has said.
President Kovind had embarked on a tour to Iceland, Switzerland and Slovenia beginning September 9.
Prime Minister Modi is to visit the United States to attend the UN General Assembly. Among other programmes, Mr Modi is scheduled to address a rally 'Howdy Modi' at Houston on September 22 which is likely to attended by President Donald Trump as well.
During a press conference on Tuesday, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar has said: "....our position on PoK is or has been and will always be very clear. PoK is part of India, and we expect one day that we will have the physical jurisdiction over it".
Pakistan has criticised the Minister's statement.
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