New Delhi: A diplomatic spat has come up barely a week before the foreign secretaries of India and Pakistan meet to review the relationship between the two nations. India and Pakistan have been exchanging sharp words on an alleged incident on in connection to the cargo ship MV Suez released by Somali pirates.
Pakistan has claimed that India's INS Godavari, sent to escort MV Suez to Oman, brushed the side of the Pakistani Navy's PNS Babur, which was escorting the merchant vessel.
In its protest to the Indian government, Pakistan said that the Indian ship undertook dangerous manoeuvres, hampered humanitarian operations, and violated international regulations and a bilateral pact.
"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," a statement issued by Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesperson Tehmina Janjua, claimed.
"The Indian government has been asked to ensure non-recurrence of such incidents," the statement said.
The Ministry of External Affairs is expected to issue a sharp denial on Saturday. Government sources have dismissed the Pakistani allegations as brazen and baseless.
MV Suez with PNS Babur escorting it is enroute to Oman and is expected to reach the port by Saturday. The 22-member crew including six Indians, four Pakistanis, one Sri Lankan and 11 Egyptian nationals will then disembark and travel to Muscat. From Muscat, the crew members will be flown back to their respective countries by air.
(With additional information from PTI)
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