Pakistan Summons Indian Diplomat Over INS Kolkata Incident
The Foreign Office said INS Kolkata carried out dangerous and provocative manoeuvres close to Pakistan Navy vessels, despite multiple warnings. It said the Indian vessel’s actions were not a routine deployment but constituted a violation of the 1991 bilateral agreement.
Pakistan has summoned the Indian Chargé d’Affaires (CDA) and lodged a strong protest over what it described as the provocative and irresponsible activities of Indian naval ship INS Kolkata in Pakistan’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), saying the incident violated a bilateral agreement and could have triggered a serious crisis.
According to the Foreign Office, the Pakistan Navy has been conducting Sea Spark 26 exercises in Pakistan’s EEZ since September 1. Since September 7, INS Kolkata and a helicopter deployed on the vessel repeatedly attempted to enter the area where the exercises were being conducted, the Foreign Office said.
The Foreign Office said INS Kolkata carried out dangerous and provocative manoeuvres close to Pakistan Navy vessels, despite multiple warnings. It said the Indian vessel’s actions were not a routine deployment but constituted a violation of the 1991 bilateral agreement.
According to the Pakistani account, on September 15, INS Kolkata made a dangerous change of course and collided with PNS Hunain. Despite efforts by the Pakistani vessel to avoid the incident, contact occurred between the two ships, the Foreign Office said.
Following the incident, INS Kolkata increased its speed and left the area, according to the statement.
Pakistan described the alleged conduct as “highly provocative”, warning that it could have led to a serious crisis. The Foreign Office said the professional and responsible conduct of the Pakistan Navy helped prevent the situation from escalating further.
The Foreign Office also accused India of distorting the facts and attempting to escalate the matter diplomatically, saying the alleged actions reflected what Pakistan described as a deliberate attempt to affect regional peace.
Pakistan called on India to respect bilateral agreements and responsible conduct, and urged Indian authorities to take immediate steps to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Foreign Office further stated that Pakistan’s current level of restraint should not be taken for granted in the face of future Indian provocations.
