1 hr ago
India-Pakistan Naval Collision Puts 1991 Article 10 Under Scrutiny
An Indian Navy ship and a Pakistani Navy ship collided at sea on September 15.
The incident happened in international waters in the North Arabian Sea.
India says the Pakistani ship came too close and moved unsafely.
India says this broke a safety rule called Article 10.
That rule says the countries’ naval ships should stay at least three nautical miles apart.
India protested to Pakistan and asked both sides to follow the agreement.
Indian sources said their ship had no major damage and continued its mission.
Other sources said the Pakistani ship suffered severe damage, but Pakistan has not officially confirmed this.
The rule is meant to stop accidents from becoming bigger conflicts.
An Indian Navy warship and a Pakistani naval vessel collided in international waters in the North Arabian Sea on September 15.
India said the Pakistani vessel approached at high speed and manoeuvred in an unsafe and unprofessional manner.
India lodged protests with Pakistan, alleging a breach of Article 10 of the 1991 bilateral agreement.
Article 10 requires Indian and Pakistani naval ships and submarines to remain at least three nautical miles apart in international waters.
Indian sources said India’s warship suffered no major damage, while other sources reported severe damage to the Pakistani vessel; Pakistan has not issued an official account.
- Who
- An Indian Navy warship and a Pakistani naval vessel were involved; India later protested to Pakistani officials.
- What
- The two naval vessels collided after India said the Pakistani vessel approached and manoeuvred unsafely.
- Where
- In international waters in the North Arabian Sea.
- When
- The collision occurred on the evening of September 15; the articles do not specify the year.
- Why
- India said the Pakistani vessel violated the three-nautical-mile separation requirement in Article 10 of the 1991 agreement.
India’s account
Pakistan’s position
Cause of the collision
India’s account
India said the Pakistani vessel approached at high speed and manoeuvred in an unsafe and unprofessional manner, directly contravening Article 10.
Pakistan’s position
Pakistan had not issued an official statement explaining the incident or disputing India’s account.
Damage and consequences
India’s account
Indian sources said the Indian warship suffered no major damage, no injuries and no loss of operational capability, and continued its mission.
Pakistan’s position
Sources familiar with the incident said the Pakistani vessel sustained severe damage and returned to harbour; Pakistan had not officially confirmed this.
Nature of the incident
India’s account
Indian officials described the collision as a breach of established safety distances rather than a deliberate attack, while warning against a recurrence.
Pakistan’s position
No official Pakistani characterization of the collision was provided in the articles.
Key facts
- Agreement
- The April 1991 Agreement between India and Pakistan on Advance Notice on Military Exercises, Manoeuvres and Troop Movements.
- Relevant provision
- Article 10 concerns naval ships and submarines operating in international waters.
- Required distance
- At least three nautical miles, approximately 5.56 kilometres.
- India’s account
- The Pakistani vessel approached at high speed and manoeuvred in an unsafe and unprofessional manner.
- Indian vessel
- Indian sources said it suffered no major damage, no injuries and no loss of operational capability.
- Pakistani vessel
- Sources familiar with the incident said it returned to harbour with severe damage.
- Pakistan’s response
- Pakistan had not issued an official statement on the collision or the condition of its vessel.
Quotes
April 1991 India-Pakistan agreement
Bilateral India-Pakistan agreement on advance notice for military exercises, manoeuvres and troop movements
“The Naval ships and submarines belonging to the other country are not to come closer than three Nautical Miles (NMs) from each other so as to avoid any accident while operating in international waters.”
livemint.com
wionews.com
Indian sources
Sources describing the Indian Navy captain’s response to the collision
“Even under extreme provocation, the Indian Navy captain exercised extreme restraint by taking actions to prevent a severe accident from taking place which could have caused serious loss of life and damage.”
wionews.com
Sources
Related news
India Protests Pakistani Naval Ship Collision at Sea
India Protests Pakistan Naval Collision in North Arabian Sea
India-Pakistan Naval Face-Off Echoes Earlier 2011 Maritime Standoff
PNS Hunain Damaged After Collision With Indian Warship
India, Pakistan Naval Ships Collide During North Arabian Sea Mission
