‘Unacceptable’: India summons Pakistani envoy after collision of navy ships

India summoned Pakistan’s Charge d’Affaires in New Delhi and lodged a strong protest over what it called “unacceptable and unprofessional conduct” by Pakistani naval units that resulted in a collision with an Indian Navy vessel.

The Ministry of External Affairs said the incident took place in international waters and did not cause any major damage. It 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.

The MEA said, “The Charge d'Affaires of the High Commission for the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in New Delhi was summoned to the Ministry of External Affairs today and a strong protest was lodged with him over the unacceptable and unprofessional conduct of Pakistani naval units at sea that led to a collision with a unit of the Indian Navy.” During the meeting, the Pakistani diplomat was asked to convey to the concerned authorities the need for military units to exercise due care and comply with relevant bilateral agreements to prevent a recurrence of such incidents, the MEA said.

“While the incident, which took place in international waters, did not cause any major damage, the conduct of the Pakistani naval ship was in direct contravention of Article 10 of the Agreement between India and Pakistan on Advance Notice on Military Exercises, Manoeuvres and Troops Movements of April 1991,” the MEA said.

“The Charge d'Affaires of Pakistan was advised to convey to the concerned Pakistani 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,” it said.

“The Charge d'Affaires of India in Islamabad has also been instructed to lodge a similar protest with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan,” it said. (This is a developing story. Please refresh periodically for more updates.)