New Delhi, Sept. 16 -- India on Wednesday summoned Pakistan's top diplomat in New Delhi and lodged a strong protest over a maritime incident involving a Pakistani naval unit and an Indian Navy vessel in international waters.
The Ministry of External Affairs described the conduct of the Pakistani naval units as "unacceptable and unprofessional", saying their actions led to the collision. India also called on Islamabad to take note of the incident and ensure that such conduct is not repeated. The incident has triggered fresh diplomatic tensions between the two neighbouring countries, with New Delhi taking the matter up through diplomatic channels. The Pakistani Charge d'Affaires was summoned to convey India's concerns over the conduct of the naval personnel involved. According to the Indian side, the collision took place at sea while naval units from both countries were operating in international waters. The government has characterised the incident as a matter of serious concern, particularly given the professional standards expected during maritime operations.
India's decision to summon the Pakistani diplomat represents a formal diplomatic protest over the incident. New Delhi has urged Pakistan to take appropriate measures to prevent any recurrence of such an incident. The episode comes against the backdrop of already sensitive India-Pakistan relations and adds a new maritime dimension to tensions between the two countries. Further details regarding the extent of damage, the circumstances leading to the collision and any casualties have not been officially disclosed so far. The incident remains under assessment as authorities examine what led to the collision between the naval units.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.