India and Pakistan Summon Diplomats After Naval Collision in Arabian Sea
The incident occurred on Tuesday. It involved Pakistani naval units and a frontline Indian warship deployed on a routine surveillance mission, according to Indian foreign ministry officials cited by Reuters. The Indian External Affairs Ministry stated that no major damage was reported from the collision. Even so, New Delhi lodged a strong protest over what it termed unacceptable and unprofessional conduct.
High-Speed Naval Collision Sparks Cross-Border Protests
New Delhi Cites Breach of 1991 Military Accord
Indian authorities summoned Pakistan’s Charge d’Affaires, Saad Warraich, to the ministry in New Delhi, according to reporting by The Independent. New Delhi instructed its neighbor to ensure military units exercise caution and adhere to bilateral agreements designed to prevent maritime accidents.
According to the Indian foreign ministry’s statement reported by The Independent, the maneuver violated Article 10 of the 1991 Agreement between India and Pakistan on Advance Notice on Military Exercises, Manoeuvres and Troops Movements. The bilateral accord stipulates that naval vessels and submarines must maintain a distance of at least three nautical miles from each other in international waters.
Islamabad Fires Back With Counter-Summons
Pakistan protested the encounter, describing the Indian Navy vessel’s maneuver near a Pakistan Navy ship as a provocative and belligerent action, according to reports by Dawn and Al Jazeera.
The collision marks the first overt military friction between the two nuclear-armed neighbors since a near-war conflict last year led to a ceasefire agreement, as reported by The Independent.
Deepening Strains Across Severed Diplomatic Channels
Diplomatic ties between New Delhi and Islamabad remain severely strained following a 2019 downgrade over the disputed region of Kashmir. Neither country currently stations an ambassador in the other’s capital, with diplomatic missions headed by a Charge d’Affaires.
The two nations also slashed their diplomatic staffing levels from 55 to 20 personnel in May of last year, suspended a crucial water-sharing agreement, and closed the only functional land border crossing between the countries.
Pakistan’s foreign ministry and government officials have not issued immediate additional comments regarding the diplomatic summons.