Pakistan protests Indian naval incident in its exclusive economic zone
By The South Asia Times
ISLAMABAD - Pakistan has lodged a strong diplomatic protest with India over what it described as a “highly provocative and unacceptable” incident involving an Indian Navy vessel in Pakistan’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said Wednesday that it had summoned the Charge d’Affaires of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad and conveyed its protest over the incident, which Islamabad said occurred on Sept. 15.
According to the ministry, the incident took place while the Pakistan Navy was conducting its biennial exercise SEASPARK-26. Pakistan alleged that the Indian vessel carried out manoeuvres in dangerously close proximity to a Pakistani naval ship, resulting in contact between the two vessels.
Islamabad said the incident constituted a serious violation of international law and the 1991 Agreement on Advance Notice on Military Exercises, Manoeuvres and Troop Movements, and warned that such incidents could increase tensions in the region.
The Indian diplomat was asked to convey to New Delhi that Pakistan “strongly rejects” what the ministry described as the Indian vessel’s belligerent action. Islamabad urged India to strictly comply with international law and bilateral agreements, particularly arrangements intended to prevent incidents at sea.
Pakistan also said its Charge d’Affaires in New Delhi would lodge a similar diplomatic protest with India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
The Foreign Ministry called on the international community to urge India to avoid actions that Islamabad said could further destabilize South Asia.
The latest dispute comes against the backdrop of longstanding tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors, which have fought several wars since independence in 1947. Maritime incidents between the two countries carry particular sensitivity because of their broader military rivalry.
