New Delhi says PNS Hunain approached INS Kolkata dangerously and attempted unsafe overtaking, violating 1991 pact’s three-nautical-mile rule; Islamabad blames Indian vessel instead, calls it EEZ exercise; both sides summon each other’s diplomats
New Delhi, Sep 18 (BuzzBytes): India has rejected Pakistan’s allegations regarding a collision between Indian Navy warship INS Kolkata and Pakistan Navy vessel PNS Hunain in the Arabian Sea, saying the incident occurred after the Pakistani ship dangerously approached and attempted an unsafe overtaking manoeuvre.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Friday that India had seen Pakistan’s response to its protest but rejected the allegations and claims contained in it. According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, INS Kolkata was on routine deployment in the western Arabian Sea when PNS Hunain allegedly approached in an unprofessional manner and attempted a dangerous overtaking manoeuvre, resulting in the collision.
Jaiswal said the Pakistani vessel’s action violated Article 10 of the 1991 India-Pakistan agreement on prior notification of military exercises, movements and activities, under which naval units of both countries are required to maintain a minimum distance of three nautical miles from each other at sea. India said the Pakistani ship also violated international regulations for preventing collisions at sea.
Pakistan rejected India’s position, alleging instead that the Indian warship manoeuvred provocatively and dangerously close to the Pakistani vessel, and said the incident occurred during naval exercises within its exclusive economic zone. India maintains its ship was on a routine surveillance operation in international waters. Both countries have summoned each other’s diplomatic representatives to lodge protests, with India summoning the Pakistani Charge d’Affaires in New Delhi on Wednesday.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs said INS Kolkata suffered no major damage and remains deployed at sea. The two countries continue to differ over responsibility for the incident and other key details—(BuzzBytes)
