What is Article 10? The 1991 pact at the centre of India-Pakistan naval ship collision – explained

What Is Article 10? India-Pakistan Naval Rule Explained

Theindiapostdaily.com – What is Article 10 The 1991 agreement provision at the centre of India’s protest against Pakistan? It is a safety rule requiring naval ships and submarines from the two countries to remain at least three nautical miles apart when operating in international waters.

India formally objected after a Pakistani naval vessel collided with an Indian Navy warship in the North Arabian Sea. According to India, the incident took place on the evening of September 15 while the Indian vessel was on a routine surveillance mission.

New Delhi said the Pakistani ship approached at speed and carried out manoeuvres that led to contact between the two vessels. India described the conduct as unsafe and unprofessional, though it said the collision caused no significant damage.

The Ministry of External Affairs summoned Pakistan High Commission Charge d’Affaires Saad Warraich to register India’s concerns. India also asked its Charge d’Affaires in Islamabad to lodge a corresponding protest with Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

What Is Article 10 of the 1991 Agreement?

What is Article 10 The 1991 pact refers to Article 10 of the Agreement on Advance Notice on Military Exercises, Manoeuvres and Troop Movements, signed by India and Pakistan in April 1991. The wider agreement was intended as a confidence-building measure to reduce the danger of military activity being misunderstood.

While the pact primarily addresses advance information about exercises, troop movements and manoeuvres, it also contains rules for naval platforms outside territorial waters. Article 10 sets a clear minimum separation for vessels from the two countries.

The naval ships and submarines belonging to the other country are not to close less than three nautical miles from each other so as to avoid any accident while operating in international waters.

Three nautical miles equal approximately 5.56 kilometres. The rule is designed to give commanders enough room to navigate safely and avoid a close approach turning into an accident.

Why the Three-Nautical-Mile Distance Matters

The North Arabian Sea is used by commercial vessels, fishing fleets and naval forces. In such waters, separation rules can reduce the risk of miscalculation, sudden manoeuvres and collisions between military ships.

For India and Pakistan, the provision has diplomatic as well as operational importance. The two nuclear-armed neighbours have often faced strained relations and security concerns, making an encounter at sea potentially more sensitive than a routine navigation incident.

India has said the Pakistani vessel’s actions breached Article 10. It urged Pakistan to ensure its military units exercise due caution and comply with bilateral arrangements to prevent similar incidents.

A Measure to Prevent Military Misunderstanding

The 1991 agreement was created to lower the risk of unintended escalation by making military activity more predictable. Advance notice can help distinguish routine exercises or movements from activity that might otherwise be seen as threatening.

What is Article 10 The 1991 rule’s practical purpose is therefore straightforward: prevent ships and submarines from getting dangerously close in international waters. It applies when Indian and Pakistani naval platforms operate in the same maritime area, whether or not a formal exercise is under way.

Such agreements do not resolve broader political disputes. They do, however, provide agreed standards of conduct and a basis for raising objections when either side believes those standards have not been followed.

FAQ: Article 10 and India-Pakistan Naval Operations

How far apart must Indian and Pakistani naval vessels remain?

Article 10 requires naval ships and submarines to remain at least three nautical miles apart while operating in international waters.

Does Article 10 apply only during military exercises?

No. The rule concerns Indian and Pakistani naval ships and submarines operating in international waters and is not limited to a formal military exercise.

Why did India raise the issue after the North Arabian Sea collision?

India said the Pakistani vessel’s approach and manoeuvres caused contact with an Indian Navy warship and amounted to a breach of the agreed safety distance under Article 10.