New Delhi: India has lodged a strong protest with Pakistan after a Pakistani naval ship collided with an Indian Navy vessel in international waters on September 15, with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) describing the conduct as “unacceptable and unprofessional”. The incident caused no major damage.
The Pakistani Charge d’Affaires in New Delhi, Saad Ahmad Warraich, was summoned and asked to convey India’s concerns to the authorities in Islamabad. India also instructed its mission in Pakistan to lodge a similar protest.
According to the reports, the incident occurred in the North Arabian Sea while the Indian warship was carrying out a routine surveillance mission.
A Pakistani naval vessel allegedly approached at high speed and manoeuvred unsafely before the collision.
The MEA said the conduct was in violation of Article 10 of the 1991 India-Pakistan agreement, which requires naval ships and submarines of the two countries to maintain at least three nautical miles of separation while operating in international waters to avoid accidents.
India advised Pakistani authorities to ensure military units exercise due care and follow bilateral agreements to prevent similar incidents.
The episode echoes a 2011 incident involving INS Godavari and Pakistan Navy ship PNS Babur in the Gulf of Aden, when the vessels brushed against each other during operations.
