India denied accusations that it had refused permission to land a Japanese transport plane in Mumbai to deliver humanitarian goods to war-torn Ukraine on Thursday, saying it had “processed and approved” the landing.
“We had received a request from Japan for permission to land in Mumbai in order to pick up humanitarian goods for Ukraine and its neighbors from the UNHCR depot.” “We have given our consent for such supplies to be picked up from India using commercial planes,” Arindam Bagchi, the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, said on Thursday.
“We also got a request for overflight authorization for Japanese SDF (Self-Defense Force) aircraft transporting humanitarian aid to Ukraine.” “This was processed and authorized in accordance with established procedures,” Bagchi said.
Moreover, the clarification came after a Japanese government official from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party claimed that India had refused to allow the SDF flight to land in the country, prompting Tokyo to rethink its plans.
According to local media accounts, the Japanese government chose to deploy an SDF flight rather than a commercial jet since the Ukrainian government requested it.
Meanwhile, the plane will pick up the aid, which is now piling up in the UNHCR’s India depot, and then fly to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the same reason, before delivering it to Ukraine’s neighbors Poland and Romania.
Japanese Cabinet to approve the plan this week
The plan was set to be approved by the Japanese cabinet this week.
“I am cautious to comment on somebody else’s statements that I might not have completely observed,” Bagchi said when asked about the Japanese government official’s remark.
According to Ministry of Defence sources, unless it involves “defense-to-defense dealing,” such licenses are granted by the MEA.
According to sources, the defense ministry has no say in whether or not any type of incoming military or commercial aircraft for humanitarian purposes is granted permission.
Moreover, SDF aircraft were dispatched by the Japanese government earlier this week. Beginning this month, C2 cargo planes or other SDF aircraft will fly out with help for Ukraine once a week, according to the plan. Tokyo has agreed to dispatch ten of these flights.
Along with the United States and Australia, Japan and India are partners in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (often known as the “Quad”). On the 24th of May, Tokyo is slated to host the second phase of the Quad Summit.
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