India and Pakistan locked in spat over their naval ships

New Delhi/Islamabad, Jun 18 (PTI) Ahead of their talks,
India and Pakistan were on Saturday locked in a nasty spat and
lodged protests against each other over their naval warships
allegedly resorting to 'risky' and 'dangerous' manoeuvres
after hijacked MV Suez was freed by Somali pirates.
India lodged a protest with Pakistan against the
violation by Pakistan Naval Ship (PNS) Babur of relevant
regulations on navigational safety by its "risky" manoeuvres
jeopardising the safety of INS Godavari and its crew. The
protest was lodged through the High Commission of Pakistan in
New Delhi.
The Ministry of External Affairs Ministry in a
statement also said the Naval Advisor of the Pakistan High
Commission was summoned by the Ministry of Defence and "our
serious concern on this incident was conveyed."
An Indian Navy official said, "Reports of aggression by
INS Godavari are incorrect and based on misinformation." Some
Indian and Pakistan nationals were on board MV Suez.
The war of words erupted just days ahead of the talks
between the Foreign Secretaries of India and Pakistan in
Islamabad on June 24-25.
The Indian action came a day after Pakistan said a
protest was lodged with the Indian High Commission in
Islamabad over what it alleged a dangerous manoeuvre by an
Indian warship which 'brushed' its frigate escorting
Eghyptian-owned vessel MV Suez. Pakistan also called the
alleged incident on Thursday as serious.
The Indian protest was registered against the violation
by Pakistan Naval Ship of relevant regulations on navigational
safety as per the 'International Regulations for Prevention of
Collisions at Sea' and Article 10 of the 'Agreement between
India-Pakistan on Advance Notice on Military Exercises,
Manoeuvres and Troops Movements 1991' involving INS Godavari
on high seas, the MEA statement said.
"PNS Babur by its risky manoeuvres jeopardised the
safety of INS Godavari and its crew," it added.

The Ministry of External Affairs in an apparent reference
to Pakistan's allegations earlier in the day said, "MV Suez
that was seized in August 2010 has sailors from Egypt,
Pakistan, Sri Lanka and India... concerned Indian entities
have been coordinating with their interlocutors overseas,
which has led to safe release of the sailors and the ship.
Insinuations to the contrary by a few voices, stem from
lack of appreciation of facts, and are totally baseless."
"Somalian piracy is a global challenge and menace,
which requires a well coordinated response by the
international community," MEA said, adding the vessel was now
heading for Oman.
The Pakistan Foreign Office in it statement alleged the
Indian Navy warship Godavari "not only hampered humanitarian
operations being carried out by Pakistan Navy Ship Babur for
(Egyptian) Merchant Vessel (MV) Suez but also undertook
dangerous manoeuvres, which resulted in the brushing
of the sides" of the two warships.
"This incident constitutes a serious violation of
international regulations pertaining to safe conduct at high
seas and of the India-Pakistan Agreement of 1991 on Advance
Notice of Military Exercise Manoeuvres and Troop Movements,"
it claimed.
"The Indian government has been asked to ensure
non-recurrence of such incidents," the statement said.
PNS Babur is escorting and assisting MV Suez, which
was released by Somali pirates earlier this week after over
two million dollars was paid as ransom for its 22-member crew,
including four Pakistanis and six Indians.
INS Godavari had been dispatched to escort MV Suez to
Salalah in Oman but was pulled out after the merchant vessel
under a Pakistani national did not respond to its call.