Archive · 17 Sep 2026
India, Pakistan Exchange Protests After Naval Collision
A Pakistani naval ship and an Indian naval ship touched each other at sea.
India said the Pakistani ship moved too quickly and dangerously after coming close to its ship.
Pakistan gave the opposite account and said the Indian ship made aggressive moves near the Pakistani vessel.
India said the event happened in international waters in the Arabian Sea.
Pakistan said it happened while its navy was conducting an exercise in its Exclusive Economic Zone.
Both countries called the other side’s actions unacceptable and said agreements may have been broken.
India reported no major damage to its ship, while Pakistani sources said the Pakistani ship suffered heavy damage.
Each country summoned the other’s diplomat to lodge a protest.
India summoned Pakistan’s chargé d’affaires after a naval collision in international waters in the Arabian Sea.
Indian sources said PNS Hunain made a high-speed, unsafe manoeuvre near an Indian warship on September 15.
Pakistan rejected India’s account, saying the Indian vessel made aggressive manoeuvres inside Pakistan’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
Both countries cited the 1991 agreement on military exercises and movements, accusing the other side of violating it.
Reports said the Indian vessel continued its mission; accounts differed over the extent of damage to PNS Hunain.
- Who
- A Pakistani naval vessel identified as PNS Hunain and an Indian Navy warship were involved; India and Pakistan summoned each other’s chargé d’affaires.
- What
- The vessels collided during close manoeuvres, prompting reciprocal diplomatic protests and competing accusations of unsafe conduct.
- When
- Indian sources placed the collision on the evening of September 15; the diplomatic protests were reported on Wednesday, September 16.
- Where
- The incident occurred in the Arabian Sea, with Indian sources specifying the North Arabian Sea and Pakistan describing the location as within its Exclusive Economic Zone.
- Why
- India said PNS Hunain’s manoeuvre violated Article 10 of the 1991 bilateral agreement, while Pakistan said the Indian vessel’s manoeuvres violated international law and the same agreement.
India’s account
Pakistan’s account
Cause of the collision
India’s account
India said PNS Hunain closed in at high speed, manoeuvred unsafely, and crossed the Indian warship’s bow despite warnings, causing the collision.
Pakistan’s account
Pakistan said the Indian Navy vessel carried out aggressive manoeuvres dangerously close to the Pakistani ship, resulting in contact.
Location and legal conduct
India’s account
India said the incident occurred in international waters and that the Pakistani vessel violated Article 10 of the 1991 bilateral agreement.
Pakistan’s account
Pakistan said the incident occurred in Pakistan’s Exclusive Economic Zone and constituted a serious violation of international law and the 1991 agreement.
Damage
India’s account
Indian sources said the Indian warship sustained no significant or structural damage and continued its mission.
Pakistan’s account
Pakistani sources cited by India said PNS Hunain suffered heavy damage; Pakistan’s official statement did not specify the extent of damage.
- Pakistani vessel
- PNS Hunain, described as an offshore patrol vessel commissioned in July 2024.
- Indian account
- Indian sources said PNS Hunain approached at high speed, crossed the Indian ship’s bow despite warnings, and caused contact.
- Pakistani account
- Pakistan said the Indian vessel made aggressive manoeuvres dangerously close to the Pakistani ship during the SEASPARK-26 exercise.
- Reported damage
- India said its vessel suffered no major or structural damage, injuries, or loss of capability; Pakistani sources said PNS Hunain suffered heavy damage.
- Agreement cited
- Both sides referred to the April 1991 Agreement on Advance Notice on Military Exercises, Manoeuvres and Troops Movements.
- Safety provision
- India said Article 10 requires the countries’ naval ships and submarines to maintain at least three nautical miles, or about 5.6 kilometres, of separation in international waters.
- Diplomatic response
- India summoned Pakistan’s chargé d’affaires in New Delhi, while Pakistan summoned India’s chargé d’affaires in Islamabad.
Sources
‘Unacceptable, unprofessional conduct’: India summons envoy after Pakistani ship collides with Indian warship
India, Pakistan Navy ships collide, New Delhi registers protest
Pakistan naval ship collides with Indian Navy unit after 'unprofessional, unsafe' manoeuvre; New Delhi lodges protest
Pakistan summons Indian diplomat over naval collision in Arabian Sea
