India and Pakistan summon diplomats after ships collide in international waters - BBC

**India and Pakistan Summon Diplomats After Naval Collision in International Waters**

*New Delhi and Islamabad have each called in senior diplomatic officials following a reported collision between an Indian Navy warship and a Pakistani Navy vessel in the North Arabian Sea. The incident, which occurred in international waters on Monday, involved the Indian frigate INS *Kochi* and the Pakistani frigate PNS *Zulfiquar* during routine patrols. Both navies confirmed that the ships made contact but emphasized that there were no injuries and no significant damage to either vessel.*

*In the immediate aftermath, India’s Ministry of External Affairs instructed its ambassador in Islamabad to lodge a formal protest, citing “reckless navigation” and a breach of international maritime protocols. Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded in kind, summoning the Indian ambassador to Karachi to convey “concern over the incident” and to seek clarification on the circumstances that led to the collision. Both sides have expressed a desire to prevent any unintended escalation and have pledged to investigate the event through a joint technical committee, as is customary under the 1972 Agreement on the Prevention of Incidents at Sea between the two countries.*

*The collision comes at a time of heightened vigilance along the region’s strategic sea lanes, where both navies routinely patrol to safeguard maritime commerce and deter piracy. Analysts note that while accidental encounters are not unprecedented, the episode underscores the fragile nature of Indo‑Pak maritime interactions and the importance of robust communication channels. The forthcoming inquiry will aim to determine whether procedural lapses, equipment failure, or human error were factors, with both governments emphasizing that any findings will be used to strengthen safety protocols and avoid future incidents.*

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