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Pakistan Summonses Indian Envoy Over Warship Collision in Arabian Sea
Confirmed
In Short: Pakistan has summoned the Indian Charge d'Affaires in Islamabad to protest a collision between a Pakistani naval vessel and an Indian warship in international waters.
The Foreign Ministry of Pakistan summoned the Charge d'Affaires of the High Commission to highlight the "unacceptable and unprofessional conduct" of a Pakistani naval unit that led to a collision with an Indian warship in the North Arabian Sea. According to reports, the incident occurred on September 15 when a Pakistani vessel approached an Indian naval warship at high speed, maneuvering in an unsafe manner.
The Indian Ministry noted that the Pakistani vessel's conduct was in direct contravention of the 1991 agreement between India and Pakistan, which governs advance notice of military exercises and troop movements. The Ministry advised the Pakistani diplomat to convey to the concerned authorities the need for all military units to observe due care and respect the provisions of the relevant agreements.
Pakistan has also summoned the Indian Charge d'Affaires and lodged a protest over the incident, claiming it occurred within Pakistan's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and that its navy was participating in a biennial exercise, Seaspark-26. Islamabad stated that the Indian vessel had carried out aggressive maneuvers in dangerously close proximity to one of its naval ships.
In a statement, Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "The incident constituted a serious violation of international law and the bilateral agreement on Advance Notice on Military Exercises, Manoeuvres and Troop Movements, 1991, and risked escalating tensions in the region." Pakistan's foreign ministry also instructed the Charge d'Affaires of the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi to convey the same message to India's Ministry of External Affairs.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs also instructed the Charge d'Affaires of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad to lodge a similar protest with Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The diplomatic action comes after a Pakistani naval vessel approached an Indian warship at high speed, leading to a collision in international waters.
What's confirmed
- The Foreign Ministry summoned Pakistan's Charge d'Affaires of the High Commission to highlight what it called the "unacceptable and unprofessional conduct" of Pakistani naval units at sea that led to a collision.
- The Ministry noted the conduct of the Pakistani naval ship was in direct contravention of Article 10 of the 1991 agreement between India and Pakistan governing advance notice of military exercises, manoeuvres and troop movements.
- New Delhi has lodged a strong protest after a Pakistani naval ship collided with an Indian Navy vessel in international waters.
What's still developing
- Nothing material beyond the confirmed record.