India expresses concern over ongoing attacks on Saudi Arabia's sovereign territory, including attacks targeting civilians and economic assets. The country also addresses an unprofessional collision between an Indian warship, INS Kolkata, and a Pakistani Navy vessel, PNS Hunain.
India has raised concerns about the escalating security situation in the Red Sea region following recent attacks on Saudi Arabia's sovereign territory. These attacks, which targeted civilians and economic assets, were strongly condemned by External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal during a media briefing in New Delhi. He also stated that India had issued a statement in response to an attempted attack on the holy city of Makkah.
Regarding the collision between INS Kolkata and PNS Hunain, Mr. Jaiswal said that the incident was a gross violation of Article 10 of the 1991 India-Pakistan Agreement on Advance Notice on Military Exercises, Manoeuvres and Troop Movements. This provision requires naval units at sea to maintain a distance of at least three nautical miles from each other. He added that the Pakistani vessel also violated the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea by performing an 'unacceptable and unprofessional maneuver'.
According to Mr. Jaiswal, PNS Hunain carried out this dangerous overtaking maneuver, resulting in the collision. He further stated that Pakistan has been advised to exercise due caution and respect relevant agreements between the two countries. INS Kolkata did not sustain any major damage and remains at sea.
Mr. Jaiswal also addressed the US Sanctions on Russia and Iran Act, stating that India has conveyed at senior levels of the US administration the possible implications of the Act for India’s energy security, global energy markets and overall bilateral relations. He reiterated that energy sourcing is guided by national interest and meeting the energy needs of 1.4 billion Indians is an imperative.
On the Maldives, Mr. Jaiswal said India and the Maldives share a longstanding development partnership. He stated that the final tranche of 50 million dollars in Treasury Bills, out of a total of 150 million dollars subscribed by the State Bank of India, was settled yesterday. The T-Bills were subscribed by SBI in 2019 and were extended six times, for one year each. Mr. Jaiswal also mentioned that India has extended a 30-billion-rupee currency swap facility to Maldives to support its financial system and has subscribed to 350 million dollars worth of Maldivian Treasury Bonds, which are valid until 2029 and 2030.
Source:
Akashvani News
