A naval collision between Indian Navy warship INS Kolkata and Pakistan Navy vessel PNS Hunain in the North Arabian Sea has triggered a fresh diplomatic dispute between India and Pakistan.
The incident took place on September 15, 2026, while INS Kolkata was reportedly on a routine surveillance mission. Both countries have since lodged diplomatic protests, but their accounts of what led to the collision differ sharply.
India Rejects Pakistan’s Claims
India on Friday rejected Pakistan’s allegations regarding the incident. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Pakistan’s response was an attempt to avoid addressing the facts and rejected the allegations made against India.
According to India’s account, PNS Hunain approached INS Kolkata at high speed and carried out a dangerous overtaking manoeuvre, resulting in the collision.
Jaiswal said the conduct of the Pakistani vessel was “unacceptable and unprofessional” and that India had already lodged a strong diplomatic protest with Pakistan.
India Cites 1991 Agreement
India has also referred to Article 10 of the April 1991 India-Pakistan agreement concerning advance notification of military exercises, manoeuvres and troop movements.
According to the Indian government, the provision requires naval units operating at sea to maintain a minimum distance of three nautical miles from each other. India has also said the Pakistani vessel’s manoeuvre was inconsistent with international rules designed to prevent collisions at sea.
What Does Pakistan Say?
Pakistan has rejected India’s version of events.
Islamabad claims the incident occurred within Pakistan’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) while the Pakistan Navy was conducting its SEASPARK-26 exercise. Pakistan accused the Indian warship of carrying out what it described as aggressive and dangerous manoeuvres near the Pakistani vessel.
Pakistan subsequently summoned India’s Charge d’Affaires and lodged a formal protest over the incident.
What Happened to the Two Ships?
India has said INS Kolkata did not suffer any major damage and remained deployed at sea following the incident. Reports also indicate that PNS Hunain was damaged and returned to harbour.
The incident reportedly occurred in the North Arabian Sea, with Indian sources placing it in international waters. Pakistan, however, maintains that the incident occurred inside its EEZ during its naval exercise.
Diplomatic Tensions Rise
The collision has added another point of friction to already tense India-Pakistan relations. Both sides have formally protested the other’s conduct, while their explanations of the incident remain contradictory.
For now, India maintains that PNS Hunain’s unsafe manoeuvre caused the collision, while Pakistan says the Indian warship was responsible for aggressive manoeuvring. Further official findings or evidence could provide greater clarity on the circumstances surrounding the incident.
