**India Summons Pakistani Envoy Following Naval Collision in Arabian Sea**
In a significant diplomatic move, India summoned Pakistan’s envoy in New Delhi on Wednesday following a maritime incident involving the two nations' naval forces. The incident occurred on Tuesday evening when a Pakistani Navy ship collided with an Indian Navy warship while it was conducting a routine surveillance mission in international waters of the northern Arabian Sea.
According to reports from Indian media, the collision transpired after the Pakistani vessel approached the Indian warship at high speed amidst rough sea conditions. Sources indicated that the Pakistani ship was maneuvering in an "unsafe and unprofessional manner" at the time of the incident. Fortunately, no major damage was reported, with some accounts suggesting that the Pakistani vessel merely "grazed" the Indian warship. Following the collision, both ships were able to move away from each other without further incident.
The Indian Foreign Ministry expressed its strong disapproval of the events that unfolded, labeling the conduct of the Pakistani naval forces as "unacceptable and unprofessional." The ministry underscored that the actions of the Pakistani vessel contravened a bilateral agreement established in 1991, which mandates advance notification of military exercises, maneuvers, and troop movements between the two nations.
In light of the incident, Pakistan’s charge d’affaires in New Delhi, Saad Ahmad Warraich, was summoned to convey India's concerns to Islamabad. The Indian government emphasized the need for military units to exercise due care and adhere to existing bilateral agreements to prevent similar occurrences in the future. Reports indicate that Warraich was present at the Indian Foreign Ministry’s Janpath office for approximately 30 minutes.
Additionally, India instructed its charge d’affaires in Islamabad to lodge a similar protest with Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, further highlighting the seriousness with which India is treating the incident.
While the specific identities of the vessels involved have not been officially confirmed, sources cited by NDTV have indicated that the Pakistani ship was a Hunain-class corvette, and the incident occurred approximately 220 kilometers east of Oman. The Indian vessel involved has been described as a frontline warship, although further details have not been disclosed.
This incident is not the first of its kind between the two nations. A comparable event took place in 2011 when the Pakistani warship PNS Babur brushed past the Indian frigate INS Godavari, causing damage to the latter's helicopter deck safety netting. Both vessels were engaged in anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden at that time.
The recent collision raises concerns about maritime safety and the potential for escalation between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, who have a long history of tensions and conflicts. As both nations navigate these complex waters, the diplomatic responses following such incidents will likely play a crucial role in maintaining stability in the region.
As the situation develops, observers will be watching closely for any further diplomatic exchanges or actions taken by either side in response to this maritime incident.