There has been a crash between a Pakistani naval ship and an Indian naval warship that occurred in the North Arabian Sea on the night of September 15.
The Indian warship was engaged in its regular activity of patrolling, which was being pursued by a Pakistani offshore patrol vessel named PNS Hunain. The Pakistani warship had been issuing warning signals repeatedly over the international radio channel of distress and safety communication (Channel 16).
However, despite the warning signals, the Pakistani ship sped up all of a sudden and rammed the bow of the Indian warship on the starboard side.
The Indians said that there was no damage to structures, no casualties, and no impairment to their capabilities. The Indian vessel proceeded to carry out its duties despite the event.
This did not prevent the government from reacting strongly. India issued a "strong protest" against "unacceptable and unprofessional conduct of the Pakistan Navy's naval contingent" through summoning the Pakistani Charge d'Affaires, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.
"A Pakistan naval ship approached a frontline Indian naval warship conducting a routine surveillance operation… at high speed and unprofessionally," a senior Indian government official told AFP.
The Pakistan representative was asked to convey to Islamabad the requirement of observing due diligence and adherence to the 1991 bilateral understanding on advance notice of military exercises and maneuvers.
The event has allegedly been the second of its kind in the Arabian Sea in six months, but details regarding the identity of the ships involved this time around have been withheld by both parties.
There was a similar incident some years ago, which had led to a protest being lodged by India against Pakistan in the Ministry of Defence, through the Naval Adviser of Pakistan, for violation of the international collision regulations and the 1991 agreement.
Specifically, the protest by India was based on the violation of Article 10 of the Agreement on Advance Notice on Military Exercises, Manoeuvres, and Troop Movements signed between India and Pakistan in 1991.
The 1991 Agreement, alongside the international regulations concerning prevention of collisions, is always the basis of the reference when it comes to previous instances of near-misses involving Indian warships. It should be noted that despite all hostilities, India and Pakistan still have to adhere to certain maritime safety protocols, which both sides would not like to give up on.
It should be emphasized that according to those who follow the incident, India, by summoning its envoy and referring to the 1991 agreement, has clearly shown its intention not to involve military institutions in this confrontation.
Since there have been no reports of damage or injuries sustained on either side, there is little chance of an escalation into military action. However, this latest dispute is simply another addition to the long list of grievances that plague their relationship, including issues like the Indus Water Treaty and the Asia Cup trophy.
As of now, there has been no response issued by Islamabad regarding this incident despite the official reaction put forth by New Delhi.
