Row over MV Suez intensifies; India to lodge formal protest with Pak: Sources

New Delhi:  After Pakistan alleged that INS Godavari, the Indian warship escorting MV Suez brushed with its frigate PNS Babur, New Delhi has denied the allegations, claiming instead that the incident was triggered by the Pakistani warship, sources said.

In fact, India has decided to lodge a formal protest with Pakistan over the matter, sources added.

The development comes after Pakistan, on Friday, lodged a protest with the Indian High Commission over the "serious incident" that occurred on Thursday. In a statement issued by Foreign Office spokesperson Tehmina Janjua, it alleged that the Indian Navy warship Godavari "not only hampered humanitarian operations being carried out by Pakistan Navy Ship Babur for Merchant Vessel Suez but also undertook dangerous manoeuvres, which resulted in the brushing of the sides" of the two warships. (Read: Pak statement on complaint against Indian ship)

MV Suez, an Egyptian-owned ship, was recently freed by Somali pirates after the payment of ransom.

The Indian government though claims that the entire narrative was turned upside down by Pakistan.

The Navy too today dismissed Pakistan's allegation that its warship had brushed PNS Babur escorting MV Suez, saying the "reports of aggression" are "incorrect and based on misinformation".

"Reports of aggression by INS Godavari are incorrect and based on misinformation," a Navy official said here.

The alleged incident is of a serious nature considering both INS Godavari and the PNS Babur are missile-armed frigates, commanded by crews trained to fight each other.

Both are relatively old warships but have been upgraded by their respective Navies over the years. The Godavari is an indigenous frigate based on a British design while the PNS Babur was transferred to the Pakistan Navy in 1993 from the Royal Navy where it was known as the HMS Amazon. The Godavari comprehensively outguns the Pakistani warship based on its superior missile battery. Both ships are considered frontline warships.

PNS Babur is escorting MV Suez, which was released by Somali pirates earlier this week after over two million dollars was paid as ransom for its 22-member crew, including four Pakistanis and six Indians.

Pakistani rights activist Ansar Burney, who played a key role in negotiations with the pirates for the release of MV Suez, told PTI that the ship's crew members will be repatriated to their respective countries by June 20.

Besides the Indians and Pakistanis, the crew includes a Sri Lankan and 11 Egyptians.

(With PTI inputs)