SRINAGAR: India on Wednesday summoned a senior Pakistani diplomat and lodged a strong protest over the conduct of Pakistani naval units following a collision with an Indian Navy vessel in the Arabian Sea, the Ministry of External Affairs said.
The MEA described the conduct as “unacceptable and unprofessional” and said the incident took place in international waters without causing any major damage.
According to the ministry, the conduct of the Pakistani naval ship was in violation of Article 10 of the April 1991 Agreement between India and Pakistan on Advance Notice on Military Exercises, Manoeuvres and Troops Movements.
The incident reportedly occurred when a Pakistani naval ship approached a frontline Indian warship at high speed during a routine surveillance mission in the North Arabian Sea. The Times of India, citing sources, reported that the Pakistani vessel was manoeuvring in an “unprofessional and unsafe manner”, resulting in the collision. No damage was reported.
The MEA said Pakistan’s Charge d’Affaires was advised to convey to the authorities in Islamabad the need for military units to exercise due care and comply with bilateral agreements to prevent a recurrence.
The Charge d’Affaires of India in Islamabad has also been instructed to lodge a similar protest with Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the MEA said.
