A rare collision between Indian and Pakistani naval vessels has triggered diplomatic protests from both countries and renewed attention on maritime safety in the region.
India and Pakistan exchanged diplomatic protests following a collision between naval vessels in the North Arabian Sea on September 15, adding another point of tension to an already sensitive relationship.
The incident involved a frontline Indian Navy warship and Pakistan Navy vessel PNS Hunain. Both countries agree that the vessels came into contact, but their accounts of how the incident happened differ considerably.
Collision Takes Place in North Arabian Sea
The collision occurred on Tuesday evening while the Indian Navy vessel was operating in the North Arabian Sea.
India said its warship was conducting a routine surveillance mission in international waters when the Pakistani vessel approached and carried out unsafe maneuvers. Indian officials described the encounter as minor and said the Indian vessel remained operational afterward.
Pakistan offered a different account, saying its navy was conducting its SEASPARK-26 exercise when the Indian vessel performed aggressive maneuvers dangerously close to the Pakistani ship.
No casualties were reported, and authorities said there was no major damage resulting from the collision.
India Summons Pakistan’s Diplomat
On September 16, India’s Ministry of External Affairs summoned Pakistan’s Chargé d’Affaires in New Delhi and lodged a formal protest.
The ministry described the conduct of the Pakistani naval unit as unacceptable and unprofessional. India also argued that the encounter breached provisions of a 1991 bilateral agreement designed to reduce the risk of dangerous military encounters between the two countries.
The agreement includes guidelines intended to maintain safe distances between Indian and Pakistani naval vessels operating in international waters.
Pakistan Responds With Its Own Protest
The diplomatic exchange didn’t end in New Delhi.
Pakistan summoned India’s Chargé d’Affaires in Islamabad and formally protested the incident as well. Islamabad argued that the Indian vessel had operated dangerously close to a Pakistani naval ship during its exercise and described the encounter as provocative.
Pakistan said the incident occurred within its Exclusive Economic Zone. An EEZ isn’t the same as territorial waters, however, and international law generally allows foreign vessels freedom of navigation within these zones.
Conflicting Accounts Remain
With both countries blaming the other, the exact circumstances immediately before the collision remain disputed.
India maintains that the Pakistani vessel closed the distance between the ships, while Pakistan says the Indian warship carried out the dangerous maneuvers.
The disagreement makes established communication procedures particularly important. Naval vessels can operate relatively close to one another during exercises, surveillance missions, and routine deployments, making clear communication and predictable maneuvering essential for preventing accidents.
Why the Incident Matters
A minor maritime collision would normally be treated primarily as a navigation and safety issue. Between India and Pakistan, however, even a limited military encounter can carry greater diplomatic significance.
Relations between the two neighbors have experienced repeated periods of military and political tension, making procedures designed to prevent accidental escalation especially important.
The fact that neither vessel suffered major damage and no casualties were reported helped prevent the encounter from becoming more serious.
Still, the diplomatic protests show that both governments are treating the collision seriously.
For now, the September 15 incident remains a reminder that maritime safety isn’t simply about protecting ships. When naval forces from countries with a difficult relationship operate in the same waters, careful communication can also play an important role in preventing an accident from becoming a much larger political crisis.
