Collision between Pakistani and Indian naval vessels sparks tensions

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NEW DELHI (AP) — A collision between Pakistani and Indian naval vessels in the northern Arabia Sea sparked diplomatic tensions between the South Asian neighbors, with each side summoning diplomats on Wednesday to express dismay.

The collision happened Tuesday, and Pakistan said it took place inside its exclusive economic zone, which India disputed, saying the incident was in international waters. No major damage was reported.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the collision happened while the Pakistani navy was conducting an exercise, and that the Indian vessel took aggressive actions dangerously close to the Pakistani ship in violation of international law and a 1991 bilateral agreement on giving notice of military maneuvers.

In a statement, the ministry said Pakistan summoned a top Indian diplomat and lodged a strong protest over the “highly provocative and unacceptable” action by the Indian vessel in Pakistani waters.

India’s foreign ministry, for its part, said it summoned Pakistan's top diplomat to complain about the “unacceptable and unprofessional” incident, which it said took place in international waters. It asked Pakistan to ensure its military units exercise caution and follow bilateral agreements to prevent similar incidents.

India and Pakistan have fought three wars since gaining independence from British rule in 1947, two over disputed Kashmir. Each country administers part of the region, but both claim it in full.

Tensions escalated sharply last year after suspected militants killed 26 people, mostly Hindu tourists, in Indian-controlled Kashmir. India blamed Pakistan, which denied involvement.

The attack was followed by tit-for-tat military strikes that brought the nuclear-armed rivals close to a wider war over the disputed region.