'Unacceptable': India summons Pakistan envoy after Arabian Sea naval collision

India on Wednesday summoned the Charge d'Affaires of the High Commission of Pakistan and lodged a strong protest over what it described as the “unacceptable and unprofessional conduct” of a Pakistani naval unit that led to a collision with an Indian Navy vessel in the North Arabian Sea.

The incident took place on the evening of September 15 in international waters, according to officials familiar with the matter.

Collision during routine surveillance

The officials said a Pakistani naval ship approached a frontline Indian Navy warship at high speed while the Indian vessel was carrying out a routine surveillance mission.

The Pakistani vessel was allegedly manoeuvring in an unsafe and unprofessional manner when the collision occurred. No damage was reported from the incident, the officials said.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the conduct of the Pakistani naval ship was in direct contravention of Article 10 of the 1991 Agreement between India and Pakistan on Advance Notice on Military Exercises, Manoeuvres and Troops Movements.

India asks Pakistan to prevent repeat

While the collision did not result in any major damage, India has raised concerns over the manner in which the Pakistani vessel operated near the Indian warship.

The Indian government asked the Pakistani diplomat to convey to the relevant authorities the “need for all military units to observe due care and respect the provisions of the relevant agreements between the two sides in order to prevent any repeat of such incidents.”

The MEA's position comes against the backdrop of continued sensitivity between the two countries over military activities and maritime operations.

Protest also lodged in Islamabad

India has also initiated a parallel diplomatic step in Pakistan. The Chargé d'Affaires of India in Islamabad has been instructed to lodge a similar protest with Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The government has stressed the need for military units from both sides to follow existing agreements and exercise due caution during operations at sea.

The incident did not cause major damage, but the diplomatic protest underscores India's concern over the conduct of the Pakistani naval vessel during the encounter.