In a gesture that was a welcome departure from the starchy ties between the countries, India gave permission to Pakistan PM Imran Khan's special aircraft to use the country’s airspace while flying to Sri Lanka on Tuesday. India allowed Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's special aircraft to use the country’s airspace while flying to Sri Lanka on Tuesday.

Khan travelled in a Pakistan Air Force jet for a two-day visit to the Island Nation.

This is Khan's maiden visit to the country since becoming the PM in 2018.

After leaving Pakistani airspace, the jet flew along India’s coastline and over the Lakshadweep archipelago before landing in Colombo. Pakistan’s request for the special flight to use Indian airspace was made more than a week ago and the permission was granted on Monday, sources told Hindustan Times.

(IBNS)