New Delhi/Kolkata: India on Wednesday night cleared the
China-bound cargo plane of UAE`s Air Force in which arms and
ammunition were found to leave the country after being
detained in Kolkata for four days for carrying arms and
ammunition.
The External Affairs Ministry has given the green signal
to the Ministry of Defence and Customs authorities that the
C-130 Hercules plane can be allowed to leave the NSC Bose
International Airport, official sources said. The aircraft has
been grounded since Sunday evening.
Airport sources in Kolkata said the airplane which had 10
crew members including the pilot, who were thoroughly
interrogated, is likely to resume its flight tomorrow at
around 9 AM. The flight originated from UAE Capital Abu Dhabi.
The Indian government gave the clearance a day after it
said that it was told by UAE authorities that its pilot had
committed a "technical error" over declaring the
on-board arms and ammunition for which they expressed regret.
An External Affairs Ministry statement said yesterday the
matter will be resolved in the spirit of the close and
friendly ties between India and the UAE and that "we will
facilitate early release of the aircraft."
The statement said the UAE authorities both in New Delhi
and Abu Dhabi have since formally regretted the omission in
clearly indicating items carried by the aircraft and have
described it as a "technical error."
External Affairs Minister S M Krishna had also said
that in view of the "friendly relations" India had with the
UAE he was in consultation with other departments of the
government and take a call.
Bureau Report
