Pakistan Navy ship collides with Indian warship in Arabian Sea; New Delhi summons Islamabad envoy

Pakistan Navy Ship Hits Indian Warship, Then Govt Does This…| Arabian Sea| Jaishankar

India on Wednesday summoned Pakistan's Charge d'Affaires in New Delhi and lodged a strong protest over what it called the “unacceptable and unprofessional conduct” of Pakistani naval units that led to a collision with an Indian Navy unit.

The Ministry of External Affairs, in a statement, said the incident took place in international waters and did not cause any major damage.

However, India said the conduct of the Pakistani naval ship was in direct contravention of Article 10 of the April 1991 Agreement between India and Pakistan on Advance Notice on Military Exercises, Manoeuvres and Troops Movements.

'Prevent any recurrence of such incidents'

The Pakistani Charge d'Affaires was advised to convey to the concerned authorities the need for all military units to exercise due care and respect the provisions of relevant agreements between the two countries to prevent any recurrence of such incidents.

India has also instructed its Charge d'Affaires in Islamabad to lodge a similar protest with Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

According to reports, a Pakistan Navy ship approached a frontline Indian Navy warship at high speed on the evening of September 15 while the latter was on a routine surveillance mission in the North Arabian Sea. The Pakistani vessel allegedly manoeuvred in an unprofessional and unsafe manner, resulting in a collision.

Article 10 of the 1991 agreement sets out safety protocols for Indian and Pakistani naval ships and submarines when they operate in international waters.

Under the provision, naval vessels from both countries are required to remain at least three nautical miles (about 5.6 km) apart while operating in international waters, with the aim of avoiding accidents.

India has previously raised concerns with Pakistan over what it described as aggressive manoeuvres by Pakistani naval vessels in international waters.

In 2011, the flight deck net of INS Godavari was damaged after the Pakistani naval vessel PNS Babur passed close to it at high speed, according to an India Today report.

The incident took place in the Gulf of Aden while INS Godavari was near the bulk carrier MV Suez, which was under escort by PNS Babur. MV Suez had recently been freed after being hijacked by Somali pirates.

Pakistan subsequently accused Indian Navy personnel of making "unfriendly gestures" towards PNS Babur. India rejected the allegation.

The then Indian Navy chief said PNS Babur had approached INS Godavari from the stern at high speed, resulting in the collision. New Delhi subsequently lodged a protest with Islamabad and provided photographic evidence to support its account of the Pakistani vessel's manoeuvres.