c/croll.in seo World aviation body rejects India’s complaint against Pakistan for closing airspace to Modi’s plane The International Civil Aviation Organisation told PTI that its rules applied to civilian aircraft and not those of national leaders and militaries. 10 hours ago Prime Minister Narendra Modi after his arrival in Riyadh on Monday. | Twitter/Narendra Modi The International Civil Aviation Organisation has told India that planes carrying national leaders are considered to be “state aircraft” and are not subject to its provisions, PTI reported on Tuesday. The world body pointed this out in its response to New Delhi’s complaint against Pakistan for refusing to allow Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s aircraft use its airspace on its way to Saudi Arabia. Modi is in the West Asian country on a two-day visit starting Tuesday. Pakistan hadannounced its decision on October 27. It was the third such instance involving Modi in the last two months. “The Convention on International Civil Aviation [Chicago Convention], which ICAO helps governments to cooperate under, only applies to the operations of civilian aircraft and not to state or military aircraft,” an unidentified spokesperson of the organisation told PTI. “Flights carrying national leaders are considered state aircraft, and are therefore not subject to ICAO provisions.” Pakistan cited alleged human rights violations by Indian security forces in Jammu and Kashmir as the reason for its decision. India had implemented a security and communications blockade in the region in August, and revoked its special constitutional status. Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi decision on Sunday coincided with anti-India demonstrations held across the country in protest against the developments in Kashmir. In September, Islamabad had cited the situation in Jammu and Kashmir to twice reject India’s request. The second request was lodged before Modis journey to the United States for a United Nations General Assembly summit. On September 7, Pakistan had refused to allow President Ram Nath Kavind to use its airspace during his visit to Iceland. Now, follow and debate the dey’s most significant stories on Scroll Exchange. © 2019 Scroll.in