Suez row: India denies obstructing Pakistani warship

India today denied that its warship obstructed a Pakistani naval ship two days ago when the latter was escorting Egyptian vessel MV Suez released by Somali pirates. Indian government sources said in New Delhi that the reports of aggression by Indian frigate INS Godavari in the Gulf of Aden were "incorrect and based on misinformation".

India on Saturday denied that its warship obstructed a Pakistani naval ship two days ago when the latter was escorting an Egyptian vessel released by Somali pirates.

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Indian government sources said in New Delhi that the reports of aggression by Indian frigate INS Godavari in the Gulf of Aden were "incorrect and based on misinformation".

The sources indicated that Pakistan, which lodged a protest with the Indian High Commission in Islamabad over the alleged obstruction on Thursday of its ship, was spreading a canard against India.

Pakistan's foreign office on Friday lodged a formal protest and said that its frigate PNS Babar was brushed past by INS Godavari.

Pakistan claimed that INS Godavari "hampered humanitarian operations" carried out by PNS Babar June 16 while escorting the MV Suez with 22 men, including six Indians, to Oman.

That apart, the Pakistan foreign office spokesperson said that the Indian warship also "undertook dangerous maneuvres".

"This incident constitutes a serious violation of international regulations pertaining to safe conduct at high seas and of the India-Pakistan agreement of 1991 on advance notice of military exercise maneuvres and troop movement," the Pakistani spokesperson said.

MV Suez, hijacked by Somali pirates, was released June 13 after nearly 10 months. Its 22 crew included six Indians, 11 Egyptians, four Pakistanis and one Sri Lankan.