According to a Reuters report, Pakistan on Thursday declared the instantaneous closure of its airspace to all Indian-owned and Indian-operated aircraft, sharply escalating diplomatic tensions.
The action fits a larger retaliation by Islamabad, which also includes halting all trade operations with India. This trade freeze stops goods’ movement to or from third nations across Pakistani territory as well as impacts direct bilateral transactions.
Reactions to India’s Indus Treaty action
The decision follows India’s recent announcement to place the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, a development that has drawn strong objection from Pakistan. The historic treaty, which governs water sharing between the two nations, has long been considered a rare point of cooperation amid broader hostilities.
Expected to disturb various international and domestic routes, the prohibition on Indian airlines using Pakistani airspace adds pressure to freight travel and passenger both. The suspension of trade could also affect cross-border economic operations including trade via Afghan and Central Asian corridors.
Although tensions between India and Pakistan have flared often over several issues, this most recent tit-for -tat action highlights a worsening diplomatic environment among the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
As the scenario develops, further reactions from both countries are expected.
