Pakistan lodges strong protest over Indian naval vessel’s ‘provocative’ action in EEZ
Indian chargé d’affaires summoned, demarche issued over incident
Islamabad: Pakistan today summoned the chargé d’affaires of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad and lodged a strong protest over a “highly provocative and unacceptable action” by an Indian naval vessel in Pakistan’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).The Foreign Office, in a statement issued today, said that while the Pakistan Navy was conducting its biennial exercise, SEASPARK-26, on September 15, the Indian vessel carried out “aggressive manoeuvres in dangerously close proximity” to a Pakistani naval ship, resulting in contact between the two vessels.
“The incident constituted a serious violation of international law and the bilateral Agreement on Advance Notice on Military Exercises, Manoeuvres and Troop Movements, 1991, and risked escalating tensions in the region,” the FO said.
The Foreign Office said the Indian chargé d’affaires was asked to convey to the Indian government that Pakistan “strongly rejects this belligerent Indian action”.
It added that the Indian side was urged to strictly adhere to international law and bilateral agreements, particularly those aimed at preventing incidents at sea.
“The chargé d’affaires of the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi will lodge the same demarche with India’s Ministry of External Affairs,” the statement said.
“Pakistan urges the international community to call upon India to abandon its belligerent posture and refrain from irresponsible actions that could further destabilise South Asia. This region can ill-afford to remain perpetually hostage to India’s reckless pursuit of conflict and instability,” the FO said.
