India, Pakistan Trade Protests Over Naval Collision in North Arabian Sea

India and Pakistan have lodged competing diplomatic protests following a collision between an Indian Navy warship and a Pakistan Navy vessel in international waters in the North Arabian Sea.

The incident occurred on Tuesday evening, roughly 120 nautical miles from the Gulf of Oman. According to official sources, the Pakistani vessel, identified as PNS Hunain, was approaching at high speed but was unable to manoeuvre safely in time, resulting in a slight collision with the Indian warship. The Pakistani ship sustained damage and returned to its home port, while the Indian vessel was unharmed and continued its routine surveillance mission.

On Wednesday, India summoned Pakistan's Charge d'Affaires in New Delhi. The Ministry of External Affairs said a strong protest was lodged over what it described as the unacceptable and unprofessional conduct of Pakistani naval units at sea.

Pakistan responded a day later, stating that it had lodged its own protest against what it called a highly provocative and unacceptable action by an Indian Navy vessel on September 15. Islamabad said the incident constituted a serious violation of international law and of the bilateral agreement on Advance Notice on Military Exercises, Manoeuvres and Troop Movements, 1991, and risked escalating regional tensions.

Indian Navy destroyers and frigates have been deployed on missions in the North Arabian Sea for several months.