Narendra Modi is scheduled to travel to the US on Saturday. Earlier this week, the Indian government had sought Pakistan's permission for using its airspace for travel. The news is that Pak has refused to give permission.

Reacting to the rejection by Pak, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar has said that the decision of the Government of Pakistan to deny overflight clearance for the VVIP special flight for a second time in two weeks is regretted. "This 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.

Airspace for India has been closed by Pak since the annulment of Article 370 by the Indian Parliament.