Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Sep 16: India on Wednesday summoned Pakistan’s Charge d’Affaires in New Delhi and lodged a strong protest after a Pakistani naval vessel collided with an Indian Navy warship in international waters in the North Arabian Sea. The Indian vessel did not suffer any major damage, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.

The incident occurred on the evening of September 15 when the Indian Navy vessel was carrying out a routine surveillance mission in the North Arabian Sea. According to officials, the Pakistani naval vessel approached at high speed and its manoeuvring resulted in the collision.

The MEA described the conduct of the Pakistani naval units as “unacceptable and unprofessional” and said it was in direct contravention of Article 10 of the 1991 Agreement between India and Pakistan on Advance Notice of Military Exercises, Manoeuvres and Troop Movements.

The agreement includes safety provisions for Indian and Pakistani naval vessels and submarines operating in international waters. India advised the Pakistani diplomat to convey to the relevant authorities the need for all military units to exercise due care and comply with bilateral agreements to prevent a recurrence.

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

The incident has brought back memories of a 2011 episode involving Indian Navy warship INS Godavari and Pakistan Navy vessel PNS Babur in the Gulf of Aden. India had then protested what it described as risky manoeuvres by the Pakistani vessel after it came into contact with INS Godavari. The incident occurred while the two vessels were operating near the hijacked merchant ship MV Suez.