India Closes Airspace to Pakistani Airlines Amid Rising Tensions
In a significant escalation of hostilities following the Pahalgam terror attack, India has decided to close its airspace to Pakistani airlines until May 23, 2025. The decision affects commercial routes operated by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), including flights to Southeast Asian destinations like Kuala Lumpur, which regularly pass through Indian airspace.
The move comes as part of a broader diplomatic and strategic response by India after the April 22 attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which left 26 civilians dead. Indian authorities have attributed the attack to a cross-border operation involving Pakistani nationals, sparking outrage and calls for stringent retaliatory measures.
India Airspace Closure
India’s airspace restriction adds to a growing list of countermeasures following the terror strike. Already, the government has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, revoked visas for Pakistani nationals, and intensified surveillance along the Line of Control. The closure of airspace aims to exert economic pressure on Pakistan by disrupting its commercial aviation routes and increasing operational costs.
Pakistan Airlines Ban
Pakistan, for its part, has denied any role in the Pahalgam attack and responded with reciprocal actions, including closing its own airspace to Indian carriers and halting bilateral trade and visa services. Islamabad has also called for a neutral, international probe into the incident, alleging that India is using the attack to stoke tensions.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has appealed to the United States and other international actors to intervene diplomatically and urge India to “dial down the rhetoric and act responsibly.”
India-Pakistan Tensions
The airspace closure marks another low in India-Pakistan relations, which have steadily deteriorated in recent weeks. Both nations have suspended diplomatic dialogue, withdrawn high commissioners, and exchanged strong rhetoric. Some reports also suggest the suspension of key agreements, including those related to water-sharing and military de-escalation.
With tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors nearing a flashpoint, global observers are urging caution. However, with hardline sentiments on both sides and public anger at a boiling point, the prospects for immediate reconciliation appear bleak.
As the deadline for airspace reopening approaches, the focus now shifts to whether diplomatic backchannels can prevail before the standoff deepens further.
