New Delhi: India has lodged a protest with Pakistan for its naval ship's navigational safety violations and jeopardizing the safety of Indian naval ship INS Godavari in escorting M V Suez which has sailors of both countries heading home after their release from Somali pirates.
The Indian Navy also during the day denied the Pakistan allegation that Indian Navy warship INS Godavari had brushed Pakistan Navy Ship Babur which was escorting the Egyptian-owned ship MV Suez.
An External Affairs Ministry (MEA) statement said "India lodged a protest today with the Government of Pakistan through the High Commission of Pakistan, New Delhi against the violation by Pakistan Naval Ship (PNS) Babur of relevant regulations on navigational safety as contained in the ‘International Regulations for Prevention of Collisions at Sea’ and Article 10 of the ‘Agreement between India-Pakistan on Advance Notice on Military Exercises, Manoeuvres and Troops Movements 1991’ involving INS Godavari on high seas.
"PNS Babur by its risky manoeuvres jeopardised the safety of INS Godavari and its crew," it said.
"On June 17, 2011, the Naval Adviser of the Pakistan High Commission was summoned to the Ministry of Defence and our serious concern on this incident was conveyed," it said.
Meanwhile, the Indian Navy on Saturday declined some allegations made by Pakistani officials on MV Suez escorting by INS Godavari and said that the 'reports of aggression' were 'incorrect' and based on 'misinformation'.
"Reports of aggression by INS Godavari are incorrect and based on misinformation," Indian Navy said in a statement.
Pakistan had lodged the protest through the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, reports said.
Meanwhile, MV Suez will not be able to reach Oman on Saturday as the ship has run out of fuel, reports said.
Pakistan Navy Ship Babur was escorting MV Suez that was rescued from Somali pirates earlier this week after the pirates were paid over two million dollar as ransom for its 22-member crew which include four Pakistanis and six Indians.
Earlier, only the Indian Navy had planned to escort the ship to the closest safe port-Salalah in Oman and dispatched a Godavari Class frigate to protect MV Suez.
But the ship’s captain, apparently a Pakistani national, ignored Indian Navy’s offer to help.
Indian Navy faced flak earlier for its delayed action in reaching assistance to the ship with Indian sailors.
Crew members on board the ship that had been hijacked last Aug, had earlier said that even after their release, they were are not feeling safe.
The crew on board the ship includes six Indians, an Egyptian and four Pakistanis, along with American, British, Sri Lankan and Kenyan sailors.
Pakistan-based human rights campaigner Ansar Burney negotiated with the pirates for the release of the sailors. He raised the money for ransom through donations.
India's external affairs ministry on Saturday however defended itself on the controversy.
It said in a statement: "Somalian piracy is a global challenge and menace, which requires a well coordinated response by the international community.
"MV Suez that was seized in August 2010 has sailors from Egypt, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and India.
"During the preceding months, concerned Indian entities have been coordinating with their interlocutors overseas, which has led to the safe release of the sailors and the ship.
"MV Suez is now heading for Oman. Insinuations to the contrary by a few voices, stem from lack of appreciation of facts, and are totally baseless," it said.