Pakistan refuses permission for Indian PM to fly across its airspace

Pakistan refused a request from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to cross its airspace on a flight to Germany, Pakistan's foreign minister said on Wednesday.

The request came while tensions between the two nations ran high over the disputed region of Kashmir. Indian foreign ministry spokesman said New Delhi regretted Pakistan's decision and also said that it was the second time in two weeks that such a request for a "VVIP" overflight had been denied. Relations between Islamabad and New Delhi have been further strained over India's decision last month to revoke the special status of its portion of the Kashmir region that both countries claim.