New Delhi: India has dismissed reports circulating in Pakistani media alleging that it denied Pakistan's request for airspace access to deliver humanitarian aid to cyclone-stricken Sri Lanka. Sources familiar with the matter have clarified that India promptly approved Pakistan's request to use Indian airspace for this purpose.

According to these sources, Pakistan submitted the official request at approximately 1:00 PM IST on Monday, seeking permission for an overflight through Indian airspace on the same day. Recognizing the urgent need for humanitarian assistance in Sri Lanka, the Indian government processed the request with exceptional speed, granting approval and communicating it to Pakistan through official channels by 5:30 PM IST. This swift action meant the request was processed in a mere four hours.

"The request was processed at the shortest notice period of four hours," a source stated. They further emphasized the humanitarian nature of the gesture, especially considering Pakistan's existing ban on Indian airlines from using its airspace.

Indian officials have refuted the Pakistani media reports as "fake news," propaganda, and "inaccurate and irresponsible". They maintain that all requests for overflight or transit are evaluated and processed strictly in accordance with established procedures and international norms. India's decisions regarding airspace permissions are based on standard operational, technical, and security assessments, and are not influenced by political considerations.

The sources further suggested that the reports were part of a disinformation campaign by Pakistani media outlets and official social media accounts associated with Pakistani diplomatic missions.

Sri Lanka is currently grappling with the aftermath of a powerful cyclone that has caused widespread devastation and severe flooding. The disaster has resulted in a significant loss of life and widespread damage, leading to an urgent need for humanitarian aid.