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Tensions between India and Pakistan have risen following a collision between the Indian Navy’s INS Kolkata and Pakistan Navy’s PNS Hunain in the North Arabian Sea.
The incident occurred on the evening of September 15, with Indian officials placing it in international waters around 120 nautical miles from the Gulf of Oman. India said INS Kolkata was conducting a routine deployment when PNS Hunain approached and carried out what New Delhi described as an unsafe manoeuvre.
According to Indian authorities, the Pakistani vessel was damaged and returned towards its home port, while INS Kolkata continued its operational mission without major structural damage. India subsequently summoned Pakistan’s Charge d’Affaires in New Delhi and lodged a formal protest.
India has said the incident violated Article 10 of the 1991 Agreement between India and Pakistan on Advance Notice on Military Exercises, Manoeuvres and Troops Movements.
The provision requires naval ships and submarines of the two countries operating in international waters to maintain a separation of at least three nautical miles to reduce the risk of accidents. India also said the Pakistani vessel's manoeuvres were inconsistent with international regulations designed to prevent collisions at sea.
On Friday, the Ministry of External Affairs rejected Pakistan's allegations and maintained that PNS Hunain's conduct resulted in the collision. India said it had advised Pakistani authorities to ensure that naval units observe existing agreements and maritime rules.
Pakistan has presented a different version of events. Islamabad said the incident occurred during a naval exercise in its Exclusive Economic Zone and accused the Indian vessel of carrying out what it described as aggressive and dangerous manoeuvres. Pakistan also summoned India's diplomatic representative to lodge a protest.
The conflicting accounts have added another layer to already sensitive India-Pakistan relations. While the collision did not result in major reported damage to the Indian warship, the diplomatic exchanges underline the importance of established maritime safety protocols when naval vessels operate in close proximity.
The immediate focus is now on preventing further incidents at sea as both countries maintain naval deployments in the strategically important Arabian Sea.
