Airline CEO hopes problem will be resolved after Pak denied passage to Indian cargo flights to Afghanistan 

A day after WION broke the story of Pakistan government denying the passage of Indian freight flights to Afghanistan, SpiceJet chief Ajay Singh speaking exclusively to WION in Davos confirmed that its cargo flights going to Afghanistan have been facing problem due to Pakistani authorities denying airspace. 

However, he said these are temporary issues. 

"These are temporary issues. Overflying is something which is sovereign right but never denied to each other and we are confident that Pakistan will soon permit Indian flights into Afghanistan," Singh said.

Meanwhile, Pakistan has also reacted to the WION's news break with Pakistan's ministry of foreign affairs spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal saying, "Our position on cargo flight planes remains unchanged. However, passengers flights from India are operating as per the rate."

Pakistan has been denying land transit to Indian goods to Afghanistan.

India has been trying to increase connectivity with landlocked Afghanistan through the India-Afghanistan Air corridor that was launched in 2017 and the Chabahar project in Iran. In 2017, India sent 1.1 million tonnes of Wheat to Afghanistan through the Chabahar port. New Delhi has been able to send 2000 metric tons of pulses Afghanistan through the port.

In December of 2018, India took over operation of a part of Shahid Beheshti Port, Chabahar and commercial operations began with the arrival of a bulk carrier MV MACHERAS on 30th December 2018.

Elaborating on how Chabahar can help central Asia and Afghanistan connect, India's former Ambassador to Afganistan Amar Sinha said, "Having invested in Chabahar it is time to build/assist in building the railway line north from there without letting the momentum flag. Only them India's 'Connect Central Asia' policy can be made a reality."

India is a major development partner of Afghanistan with its assistance to the country exceeding $3 billion.