India has rejected Pakistan’s allegations over the September 15 collision between Indian Navy warship INS Kolkata and Pakistan Navy vessel PNS Hunain in the North Arabian Sea. New Delhi said the Pakistani vessel carried out a dangerous manoeuvre that violated the 1991 India-Pakistan agreement on military activities as well as international maritime regulations.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal dismissed Pakistan’s response as “usual prevarication” and reiterated India’s version of events, saying INS Kolkata was on a routine deployment when PNS Hunain approached it at high speed.

India Says PNS Hunain Made Dangerous Manoeuvre

According to the Indian government, PNS Hunain approached INS Kolkata at high speed and conducted what New Delhi described as an unsafe and unprofessional overtaking manoeuvre.

India has said the incident took place in international waters. The government maintains that the Pakistani vessel came too close to INS Kolkata, resulting in the collision. India subsequently summoned Pakistan’s Charge d’Affaires in New Delhi and lodged a formal protest.

Jaiswal said the Pakistani vessel’s conduct was unacceptable and that both sides need to ensure their military units follow established agreements and maritime safety procedures to prevent similar incidents.

What Does the 1991 Agreement Say?

A key point in India’s argument is Article 10 of the 1991 Agreement Between India and Pakistan on Advance Notice on Military Exercises, Manoeuvres and Troop Movements.

India says the provision requires naval units operating at sea to maintain a minimum separation of three nautical miles. New Delhi has argued that PNS Hunain’s approach breached this requirement.

India has also cited the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, commonly known as COLREGs, in its response to Pakistan’s allegations.

Pakistan Disputes India’s Account

Pakistan has rejected India’s version of the incident. Islamabad has claimed that the collision occurred inside Pakistan’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) while its navy was conducting the SEASPARK-26 exercise.

Pakistan accused the Indian warship of carrying out aggressive and dangerous manoeuvres near PNS Hunain and lodged its own diplomatic protest. Both countries have therefore presented conflicting accounts of the circumstances surrounding the collision.

The location of the incident is consequently another point of disagreement. India says the collision occurred in international waters, while Pakistan maintains that it happened within its EEZ.

INS Kolkata Reportedly Continued Deployment

India has stated that the collision did not cause major damage to INS Kolkata and that the Indian warship continued its deployment.

Reports indicate that PNS Hunain suffered damage and subsequently returned to port. The two vessels are significantly different in size, with reports putting INS Kolkata at around 7,400 tonnes and PNS Hunain at approximately 2,600 tonnes.

The reported damage to PNS Hunain has added another dimension to the incident, although the central dispute between the two governments remains focused on how the collision occurred and which maritime rules were breached.

Diplomatic Tensions Rise After Collision

The September 15 incident has resulted in reciprocal diplomatic protests between India and Pakistan. India summoned Pakistan’s diplomatic representative in New Delhi, while Pakistan also summoned an Indian diplomat over what it described as an unacceptable action inside its EEZ.

The collision comes amid already sensitive relations between the two countries. The competing accounts have increased diplomatic friction, although neither side has publicly described the incident as an intentional attack.

Key Highlights

• The collision between INS Kolkata and PNS Hunain occurred on September 15, 2026.
• India says the incident took place in international waters.
• Pakistan says the incident occurred inside its Exclusive Economic Zone.
• India accused PNS Hunain of making a dangerous high-speed manoeuvre.
• New Delhi cited Article 10 of the 1991 India-Pakistan agreement.
• India says naval vessels are required to maintain a three-nautical-mile separation under the provision it cited.
• India also referred to international maritime collision-prevention regulations.
• Pakistan has disputed India’s account and accused INS Kolkata of aggressive manoeuvring.
• India said INS Kolkata did not suffer major damage and continued its deployment.
• Reports said PNS Hunain was damaged and returned to port.
• Both countries have lodged formal diplomatic protests over the incident.

Professional Disclaimer & Third-Party Reference

This article is based on publicly reported information and official statements available as of September 18, 2026. Facts and developments have been cross-referenced with reports from established third-party news organisations and publicly available sources, including Reuters, Associated Press, The Indian Express and other media reports. Claims made by India and Pakistan regarding responsibility for the collision are presented as statements from the respective sides and may remain disputed pending further evidence or investigation.

Conclusion

India and Pakistan continue to differ sharply over the circumstances surrounding the INS Kolkata-PNS Hunain collision in the Arabian Sea. New Delhi maintains that PNS Hunain violated maritime protocols and the 1991 bilateral agreement, while Islamabad has rejected that account and accused the Indian vessel of aggressive conduct. The incident remains a matter of diplomatic dispute, with both sides expected to focus on preventing similar encounters at sea.