Media: India plans to close airspace to Pakistan

India is considering the closure of its airspace to Pakistani carriers, a move that would force the rerouting of planes over China or Sri Lanka to reach Southeast Asian destinations such as Kuala Lumpur, said people with knowledge of the matter.

India is also contemplating a ban on Pakistani ships from calling at Indian ports. Pakistan had shut its airspace to Indian airlines following New Delhi’s measures against its neighbour after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22 that killed 26, Caliber.Az reports, citing The Economic Times.

State-owned Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) uses Indian airspace to access several destinations in Southeast Asia, including Kuala Lumpur and other cities in Malaysia besides Singapore and Thailand. The closure of Indian airspace could have an impact on the health of the airline as this would force planes to take a longer way round.

Let's note that tensions between India and Pakistan over Jammu and Kashmir have sharply escalated following a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, which resulted in the deaths of 26 tourists, mostly Hindus. India has accused Pakistan-based militants of orchestrating the attack, leading to a series of retaliatory actions and military confrontations.​

Since April 24, Indian and Pakistani forces have exchanged small arms fire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir. These skirmishes have continued nightly, raising concerns of a broader military escalation.

India has suspended the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, blocking the flow of water from the Indus River basin. It also expelled Pakistani diplomats and revoked visas for Pakistani nationals. In response, Pakistan has closed its airspace to Indian flights, suspended trade, and expelled Indian diplomats.

India test-fired long-range precision missiles, signalling heightened military readiness. Pakistan has received advanced PL-15 long-range air-to-air missiles from China, further intensifying the arms race.​

By Khagan Isayev