In a move that has escalated tensions with its neighbour, India has seized a CMA CGM cargo vessel bound for Pakistan from China, sparking a swift and heated exchange of words between the governments in New Delhi and Islamabad.
Indian authorities apparently intercepted the French line’s vessel as it entered Indian waters.
Indian officials claim the vessel was carrying contraband items, although specific details about the nature of the cargo have not been disclosed.
In response to the seizure, Pakistani officials condemned India's actions, labelling them unjustified and provocative.
Pakistan's Foreign Office released a statement expressing concern over the incident and urging India to act in accordance with international maritime laws.
"We strongly condemn India's seizure of the CMA CGM vessel (Attila).
“This action is a clear violation of international maritime norms and has the potential to escalate tensions in the region," the statement read.
Indian authorities, however, have defended their actions, asserting that the seizure was carried out in accordance with domestic and international laws. They have yet to provide further details regarding the specific reasons behind the seizure.
The incident comes at a time of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, both nuclear-armed nations, over long-standing territorial disputes and cross-border conflicts.
The seizure of the cargo vessel has only served to exacerbate the already strained relations between the two countries.
Observers fear that the latest development could further destabilise the region and raise concerns about the potential for a military escalation between India and Pakistan.
International actors have called for restraint and urged both countries to resolve their differences through dialogue and diplomatic channels.
The situation remains tense as both India and Pakistan continue to exchange strong words in the aftermath of the seizure.
With no immediate resolution in sight, the international community is watching closely, hoping for a de-escalation of tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
India has defended seizing the cargo because it contains numerical control machines, dual-purpose technology it claims can be used for nuclear arms proliferation.
According to the Hindustan Times, in February 2020, “China was attempting to supply an autoclave to Pakistan under the cover of an ‘industrial dryer’, which was seized from a Hong Kong-flagged Chinese ship, the Dai Cui Yun, which left Jiangyin port on the Yangtze River in Jiangsu province, and was headed to Pakistan’s Port Qasim.
“The seizure of the autoclave, which could be used in Pakistan’s missile programme, strengthened apprehensions that Pakistan is continuing the illegal trade of missiles and violating the Missile Technology Control Regime, a multi-lateral non-missile proliferation initiative.
The cargo spat is seen as one of the first foreign diplomacy challenges of Pakistan’s newly elected President, Arif Alvi.
