- India rejects Pakistan's allegations on naval collision.
- PNS Hunain violated 1991 agreement and maritime rules.
- INS Kolkata undamaged, remains operational at sea.
India has rejected Pakistan’s allegations over the collision involving Indian Navy warship INS Kolkata and Pakistan Navy vessel PNS Hunain in the western Arabian Sea, saying the Pakistani ship’s manoeuvre breached a 1991 agreement between the two countries as well as international maritime regulations.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also said the incident did not cause any major damage to INS Kolkata and that the warship remains at sea.
#WATCH | Delhi: On Pakistan Navy vessel collides with Indian warship, MEA Official Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, "We have seen Pakistan's response to the protest we lodged. This is the same old stalling we expected. We categorically reject the allegations and insinuations… pic.twitter.com/sa41GlaFUB
— ANI (@ANI) September 18, 2026
What India Said About The Collision
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal rejected Pakistan’s response to India’s diplomatic protest over the incident, saying New Delhi had expected such a response.
“We have seen Pakistan's response to the protest we lodged. This is the same old stalling we expected. We categorically reject the allegations and insinuations made therein,” Jaiswal said.
According to India, INS Kolkata was on a routine deployment in the western Arabian Sea when PNS Hunain carried out the manoeuvre that resulted in the collision.
“INS Kolkata was on a routine deployment in the western Arabian Sea when the Pakistan Navy ship PNS Hunain behaved in an unacceptable and unprofessional manner at sea, resulting in the collision,” Jaiswal said.
India Cites 1991 Bilateral Agreement
Jaiswal said the manoeuvre by PNS Hunain violated Article 10 of the Agreement between India and Pakistan on Advance Notice on Military Exercises, Manoeuvres and Troops Movements of April 1991.
“The dangerous overtaking manoeuvre by PNS Hunain was a gross violation of Article 10 of the Agreement between India and Pakistan on Advance Notice on Military Exercises, Manoeuvres and Troops Movements of April 1991,” he said.
“This article stipulates that naval units at sea should not come within three nautical miles of each other,” Jaiswal added.
Pakistan Ship Also Violated Maritime Rules
India also said the Pakistani vessel’s actions were not limited to a violation of the bilateral agreement.
“Furthermore, the Pakistani ship also violated the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea,” Jaiswal said.
The MEA said Pakistan had again been advised to ensure that its military units follow the relevant agreements and exercise caution to prevent similar incidents.
“The Pakistani side has once again been advised that, to prevent the recurrence of such incidents, all their military units need to exercise due caution and respect the provisions of the relevant agreements between the two sides,” Jaiswal said.
What Happened In The Arabian Sea
The collision took place on September 15 in the North Arabian Sea. India said INS Kolkata was on routine deployment in international waters when PNS Hunain carried out a dangerous overtaking manoeuvre that led to the collision.
Pakistan has disputed India’s account and accused the Indian warship of carrying out aggressive manoeuvres near its naval vessel. Islamabad has also claimed that the incident occurred within Pakistan’s exclusive economic zone during its SEASPARK-26 naval exercise.
Both countries have lodged diplomatic protests following the incident.
India said the collision did not cause major damage to its warship. “INS Kolkata has not suffered any major damage from this incident and remains at sea,” Jaiswal said.