-Both countries already have an agreement governing the safe distance and operations of their naval vessels

New Delhi, September 16 (HS): Tensions between India and Pakistan have once again escalated on the maritime front following a collision between a frontline Indian Navy warship and a Pakistani vessel in the North Arabian Sea. The incident is considered serious because the two countries already have an agreement governing the safe distance and operations of their naval vessels in international waters. However, technical details, including the names of the two vessels and the exact location of the collision, have not been made public so far. The incident is being viewed as a serious lapse.

The Indian Navy’s frontline warship was on a routine surveillance mission in the North Arabian Sea on the evening of September 15. During the operation, a Pakistani Navy vessel approached the Indian warship at high speed and collided with it. Although no major damage has been reported, the manoeuvring by the Pakistani vessel has been described as unsafe and unprofessional. The two vessels failed to maintain adequate separation and ultimately collided. At present, technical details such as the names of the vessels and the exact location of the collision have not been publicly disclosed.

The incident in the open sea is considered serious because India and Pakistan signed an agreement in April 1991 aimed at preventing misunderstandings and accidents arising from military activities. Article 10 of the agreement contains specific provisions governing the operations of naval ships and submarines of the two countries in international waters. Under the provision, naval vessels of either country are not supposed to approach within three nautical miles of each other, in order to prevent accidents. Three nautical miles are equivalent to approximately 5.56 kilometres.

The provision is also mentioned in older official records of the Government of India. Therefore, India’s objection in the present case is not limited to the collision itself; it also concerns the alleged failure of the Pakistani vessel to comply with the bilateral arrangement governing safe operations in international waters.

Tensions of this nature between the Indian and Pakistani navies at sea have a long history. In 2011, there was also an encounter between INS Godavari and Pakistan Navy vessel PNS Babar in the high-seas area of the Arabian Sea. At the time, both sides accused each other of dangerous manoeuvring, while India lodged a protest against Pakistan citing Article 10.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar