ISLAMABAD: Pakistan formally protested aggressive maneuvers by an Indian naval vessel in its Exclusive Economic Zone on September 15, the country’s foreign office said on Thursday.
During a weekly press briefing, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan stated that the Indian ship conducted "aggressive maneuvers in dangerously close proximity" to a Pakistani vessel during the Sea Spark 26 exercise, resulting in contact between the two ships.
The incident violated "international law and bilateral agreement," the spokesperson said. Pakistan called the conduct reckless and said it raised questions about India's commitment to maritime protocols in the region, the spokesperson said.
Pakistan hands over counter-terror council leadership
Pakistan handed over leadership of an eight-nation counter-terrorism council to Russia after chairing the Shanghai Cooperation Organization's Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure, the Foreign Office spokesperson said.
The 46th RATS meeting reviewed cooperation among SCO member states in combating terrorism, separatism and extremism across Central and South Asia, the spokesperson said.
“The transition underscores Pakistan's role in coordinating security responses across a region spanning from Central Asia to South Asia,” the spokesperson said.
Boundary commission with China
Pakistan and China held the inaugural meeting of the Pakistan-China Boundary Joint Commission on Wednesday in Islamabad, the Foreign Office spokesperson said. He said the commission will enhance cooperation in border management, conduct joint surveys, facilitate trade and improve people-to-people connectivity.
Both nations view the commission as critical to managing their shared frontier and deepening economic ties through cross-border infrastructure projects, as per the spokesperson.
Nuclear talks with IAEA
Deputy Prime Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar spoke with International Atomic Energy Agency Director-General Rafael Grossi on September 15, the Foreign Office spokesperson stated.
The spokesperson stated that the two discussed regional developments and agreed that implementing the Islamabad MOU offered the most effective way to reduce nuclear tensions. “Pakistan positioned the agreement as essential to addressing international concerns about its nuclear program while preserving national security interests,” the spokesperson said.
Pakistan leads UN delegation
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will head Pakistan's delegation to the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York next week, the Foreign Office spokesperson revealed. Deputy Prime Minister Dar and other officials will accompany the prime minister.
He stated that the delegation will address sustainable development, climate change, counter-terrorism, Islamophobia and the situations in Indian-Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
“Pakistan typically uses the General Assembly platform to articulate its position on Kashmir to the international community,” the spokesperson added.
Lebanon accord on transfers
Lebanese Interior Minister Ahmed Al-Hajjar visited Pakistan September 14-15, the Foreign Office spokesperson said. Pakistan and Lebanon signed a memorandum of understanding allowing convicted nationals to serve sentences in their home countries.
“The agreement reflects both nations' commitment to strengthening judicial cooperation and bilateral relations,” he stated.
Sports diplomacy breakdown
Pakistan will not send cricket or hockey teams to India due to escalating tensions in bilateral sports relations, the Foreign Office spokesperson said.
The spokesperson stated that the decision followed India's refusal to allow its women's cricket team to receive the Asian Cricket Championship trophy from Pakistani Cricket Board President Mohsin Naqvi, who also heads the Asian Cricket Council.
Sajjad Haider Khan said India's men's cricket team similarly refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi last year. Pakistan views the incidents as weaponizing sports and will accept matches against India only on neutral third-country grounds.