What is the India-Pakistan conflict at sea about? | Explained
What happened on September 15 in the North Arabian Sea? What kind of vessels were involved? Was there any damage to the vessels? How did India react to the incident? What is Pakistan’s version? What is Article 10 of the 1991 Agreement that India alleged Pakistan violated?
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Context
A collision occurred between Indian Navy warship INS Kolkata and Pakistan Navy vessel PNS Hunain in the North Arabian Sea. India alleges the Pakistani vessel executed a dangerous, high-speed overtaking maneuver, violating the . Pakistan has denied these claims, highlighting ongoing maritime tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
UPSC Perspectives
Polity & Governance
This incident highlights the importance of bilateral agreements in managing tensions between adversarial states. The is a critical Confidence Building Measure (CBM) designed to prevent accidental escalation. Specifically, Article 10 of this agreement mandates a minimum separation of three nautical miles between naval vessels of the two countries. The summoning of the is a standard diplomatic protocol used to register a formal protest. For UPSC, understanding the evolution and current status of CBMs between India and Pakistan is crucial, as they form the bedrock of conflict management in the absence of a comprehensive peace treaty.
International Relations
The maritime domain is increasingly becoming an arena for strategic competition between India and Pakistan. The North Arabian Sea is a strategically vital region due to its proximity to the Persian Gulf and key sea lines of communication (SLOCs). This incident underscores the fragility of the maritime environment, where tactical maneuvers can easily lead to strategic escalation. The security dilemma is evident here, as both navies operate in close proximity, viewing each other's actions with suspicion. UPSC questions often focus on the broader implications of such incidents on regional stability and the effectiveness of existing bilateral mechanisms in crisis management.
Geographical
The location of the incident, the , is geographically and geopolitically significant. It is a crucial maritime corridor connecting the Middle East to South Asia and the broader Indo-Pacific region. The proximity to the (Pakistan) and the (India) makes it an area of overlapping strategic interests. Understanding the maritime geography of the region is essential for analyzing the operational dynamics of the Indian and Pakistani navies. For UPSC Prelims, knowing the geographical features and strategic choke points associated with the Arabian Sea is important.