Archive · 19 Sep 2026
India Rejects Pakistan Claims Over Arabian Sea Naval Collision
Two navy ships from India and Pakistan collided in the Arabian Sea on September 15.
India says its ship, INS Kolkata, was carrying out a routine mission in international waters.
India says the Pakistani ship, PNS Hunain, moved close at high speed and made a dangerous overtaking manoeuvre.
India says this broke a 1991 agreement and international safety rules.
Pakistan gives a different explanation.
Pakistan says the Indian ship acted aggressively inside Pakistan’s maritime zone.
Both countries lodged diplomatic complaints about the incident.
India says INS Kolkata was not badly damaged and continued its mission.
India said INS Kolkata was on routine deployment in international waters in the western or North Arabian Sea on September 15.
New Delhi accused PNS Hunain of approaching at high speed and making a dangerous, unacceptable and unprofessional overtaking manoeuvre that caused the collision.
India said the manoeuvre violated Article 10 of the April 1991 bilateral agreement requiring naval units to remain at least three nautical miles apart.
Pakistan alleged that INS Kolkata conducted aggressive manoeuvres near PNS Hunain inside Pakistan’s Exclusive Economic Zone during exercise SEASPARK-26.
India rejected Pakistan’s account, lodged diplomatic protests, and said INS Kolkata suffered no major damage and remains at sea.
- Who
- The Indian Navy’s INS Kolkata and Pakistan Navy’s PNS Hunain were involved; India’s position was presented by Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.
- What
- The ships collided after India said PNS Hunain made a dangerous overtaking manoeuvre; Pakistan blamed an allegedly provocative manoeuvre by INS Kolkata.
- When
- The collision occurred on the evening of September 15, and India rejected Pakistan’s allegations on September 18.
- Where
- The incident occurred in the North or western Arabian Sea, reportedly about 120 nautical miles from the Gulf of Oman. India said it was in international waters, while Pakistan alleged it was inside Pakistan’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
- Why
- India said PNS Hunain’s unsafe manoeuvre caused the collision and violated maritime rules; Pakistan alleged that INS Kolkata acted provocatively in its EEZ.
India’s Account
Pakistan’s Account
Cause of collision
India’s Account
India said PNS Hunain approached at high speed and made a dangerous, unacceptable and unprofessional overtaking manoeuvre that caused the collision.
Pakistan’s Account
Pakistan alleged that the incident followed a highly provocative and unacceptable manoeuvre by INS Kolkata.
Location and maritime conduct
India’s Account
India said INS Kolkata was on routine deployment in international waters and that PNS Hunain violated the three-nautical-mile separation requirement and international collision-prevention rules.
Pakistan’s Account
Pakistan alleged that INS Kolkata acted dangerously close to PNS Hunain inside Pakistan’s Exclusive Economic Zone during exercise SEASPARK-26.
Responsibility and response
India’s Account
India rejected Pakistan’s allegations, warned against a repeat incident, and urged military units to follow bilateral agreements and exercise due care.
Pakistan’s Account
Pakistan lodged a diplomatic complaint and attributed responsibility for the incident to the Indian vessel.
- Indian vessel
- INS Kolkata, a Kolkata-class guided-missile destroyer
- Pakistani vessel
- PNS Hunain, a Yarmook-class offshore patrol vessel
- Incident date
- Evening of September 15
- Reported location
- North or western Arabian Sea, approximately 120 nautical miles from the Gulf of Oman
- Agreement cited by India
- Article 10 of the April 1991 bilateral agreement says naval units at sea should remain at least three nautical miles apart
- Diplomatic response
- India summoned Pakistan’s Charge d’Affaires and lodged a strong protest; Pakistan later lodged its own complaint
- Damage and status
- India said INS Kolkata suffered no major damage and remains at sea; reports said PNS Hunain sustained a dent or possible crack and returned to harbour
Sources
'PNS Hunain Behaved in an Unacceptable & Unprofessional Manner': MEA on Pakistani Naval Vessel's Collision With Indian Ship
India rejects Pakistan's allegations over collision in Arabian Sea: ‘PNS Hunain conducted in unacceptable manner'
India warns Pakistan to prevent repeat of naval incident
India Rejects Pakistan’s Allegations Over Navy Ships’ Collision
India Rejects Pakistan’s Response Over INS Kolkata-PNS Hunain Naval Collision, Cites 1991 Maritime Agreement | VIDEO
India rejects Pakistan’s allegations on ship collision in high seas, underlines PNS Hunain was at fault
India rejects Pakistan’s allegations regarding collision of Indian, Pak ships
INS Kolkata was on routine deployment, Pakistan vessel conducted in unacceptable manner: MEA
India rejects Pakistan charge that naval vessel INS Kolkata entered its Exclusive Economic Zone
