Air India's Xinjiang Overflight: Sovereignty, Law, and Geopolitics

• Air India, backed by the Indian government, seeks permission to overfly China's Xinjiang airspace.
• The request is driven by Pakistan's airspace denial, which increased operational costs and travel times for Indian carriers.
• The issue highlights the tension between state sovereignty (Chicago Convention) and the functional needs of international civil aviation.
• China has the authority to restrict access to sensitive areas like Xinjiang, as overflying is a privilege, not an automatic right.
• India frames its request based on cooperation, safety, efficiency, and environmental benefits, aligning with ICAO goals.

Why It Matters: It reveals the tension between state sovereignty and global aviation's functional needs.