Pakistani vessel’s ‘improper’ manoeuvre caused INS Kolkata collision, MEA says

New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday said a Pakistani naval vessel’s improper conduct led to a collision with the Indian Navy’s INS Kolkata, accusing Islamabad of trying to conceal the facts surrounding the incident. Briefing reporters at the MEA media centre, the ministry’s spokesman, Randhir Jaiswal, said INS Kolkata was on a routine deployment when the collision occurred.

Jaiswal said the Pakistani vessel’s improper behaviour caused the incident, describing it as a violation of Article 10, under which naval vessels are required to maintain a distance of three nautical miles. He said India had “expected such a reaction” from Pakistan and reiterated New Delhi’s advisory to Islamabad to prevent such incidents from recurring.

The spokesman stressed that all military personnel and vessels must respect applicable rules. INS Kolkata did not suffer significant damage and remains operational, he added.

Turning to the situation in the Red Sea, the MEA expressed deep concern over the escalation and condemned attacks on Mecca, civilians and civilian infrastructure. Jaiswal said such attacks threaten freedom of navigation through the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

He also said Indian nationals in Yemen are safe, with the Indian embassy in Saudi Arabia maintaining contact with them and monitoring the situation.

On Bangladesh, the MEA said India would take necessary steps to secure and protect its interests following reports that Dhaka may review documents and agreements signed between the previous Bangladeshi government and India.

Responding to a question about a potential US Congress bill that could affect India’s trade agreements, Jaiswal said New Delhi had made a “clear determination” to take all necessary steps to protect its trade and economic interests.

The MEA also detailed the external affairs minister, S Jaishankar, visit to Bhutan, undertaken at the invitation of his Bhutanese counterpart. Jaishankar called on the Bhutanese prime minister, and the two discussed bilateral relations and other aspects of India-Bhutan ties, with Jaishankar reaffirming India’s support for Bhutan’s development.

During the visit, the two sides inaugurated a children’s hospital and laid the foundation stone for the Kholongchu power project. India also handed over 43 Jersey cows to Bhutan’s National Cattle Breeding Centre and 54 electric vehicles, besides inaugurating a bridge project. On the Maldives, the MEA said Male has successfully completed the subscription of treasury bills, describing India and the Maldives as long-standing partners. The treasury bills have been subscribed to by the State Bank of India (SBI) since 2019, with the facility extended six times so far, each extension covering one year.