Stories
Pakistan Breaches 1991 Maritime Pact: Near-Collision in North Arabian Sea Raises Tensions
- •PNS Hunain violated the 1991 India-Pakistan maritime pact by approaching an Indian warship in international waters, disregarding the three-nautical-mile separation rule.
- •The incident occurred approximately 220 km east of the Omani coast, with PNS Hunain reportedly shadowing and then crossing the bow of an Indian Kolkata-class destroyer.
- •Pakistan's actions also contravened the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs), specifically Rules 8, 13, 15, and 16.
- •Islamabad's defense, alleging Indian provocation within its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), is dismissed as an EEZ does not grant a security cordon and freedom of navigation applies.
- •This incident mirrors a 2011 event where PNS Babur closed in on INS Godavari, suggesting a pattern of deliberate practice rather than accidental misjudgment, escalating risks between the nuclear-armed nations.
Key Questions Answered
Article 10 of the April 6, 1991 Agreement between India and Pakistan explicitly states that naval ships and submarines from both countries must not come closer than three nautical miles from each other in international waters to avoid accidents. This mandatory distance rule applies continuously and is not contingent upon ongoing military exercises or pre-notification requirements.
On the evening of September 15, the Pakistan Navy offshore patrol vessel PNS Hunain approached an Indian frontline warship in international waters of the North Arabian Sea. Disregarding warnings on VHF Channel 16, PNS Hunain accelerated suddenly, crossed the Indian vessel's bow from starboard, and struck the ship.
Pakistan's Foreign Office lodged a mirror demarche accusing India of provocation within Pakistan's Exclusive Zone and urged adherence to bilateral agreements. However, officials noted that an Exclusive Economic Zone grants resource rights rather than a security cordon, and freedom of navigation applies to all states under international law.
