BJP Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy | Photo Credit: PTI

Key Highlights Pakistan Minister has suggested that Islamabad might close its air space to Indian airlines. Swamy has suggested that India should block ships bound for Karachi through Arabian sea More than half of Pakistan's imported goods come through Karachi port

New Delhi: BJP Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy has said that India should block ships bound for Karachi if Pakistan closes its airspace for Indian aircraft. This has come a day after Pakistan's Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry indicated that Islamabad was mulling the closure of its airspace to New Delhi.

"My advice to Namo Govt: If Pak closes their airspace for our commercial and civilian aircraft, India should close Karachi port by blocking ships going through the Arabian Sea (which needs to be renamed) to Karachi port," tweeted Swamy.

Swamy's comment gains significance as Karachi is an economic hub and handles more than half of Pakistan's imported goods.

"PM is considering a complete closure of air space to India, a complete ban on the use of Pakistan land routes for Indian trade to Afghanistan was also suggested in the cabinet meeting... legal formalities for these decisions are under consideration... Modi has started, we'll finish!," tweeted Fawad Chaudhry.

Pakistan had closed its airspace for India following the Balakot airstrikes and only opened it after a period of almost four months. India had said that 600 flights per day were impacted due to the closure of Pakistani airspace during this period with a loss to the tune of Rs 700 crore to the airlines.

According to a report published in The Indian Express, Indian flag carrier Air India lost over Rs 400 crore till July 2, while India’s largest domestic airline IndiGo incurred a loss of Rs 25.1 crore till May 31. Besides, SpiceJet and GoAir suffered a loss Rs 30.73 crore and Rs 2.1 crore respectively till June 20.