In a recent development that has heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, India has seized a CMA CGM cargo vessel en route from China to Pakistan, leading to a swift and heated exchange of words between the two governments.
The vessel, belonging to the French shipping line, was reportedly intercepted by Indian authorities upon entering Indian waters. Indian officials allege that the ship 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, deeming them unjustified and provocative. Pakistan’s Foreign Office released a statement expressing concern over the incident and calling on India to adhere to 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 have defended their actions, asserting that the seizure was carried out in accordance with domestic and international laws. However, they have yet to provide specific details about the reasons behind the seizure.
This incident unfolds against the backdrop of already heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, both nuclear-armed nations, stemming from longstanding territorial disputes and cross-border conflicts. The seizure of the cargo vessel further strains relations between the two countries, prompting concerns about the potential for a military escalation.
International actors have called for restraint, urging both India and Pakistan to resolve their differences through dialogue and diplomatic channels. The situation remains tense, with both countries exchanging strong words in the aftermath of the seizure.
India claims to have seized the cargo due to its containing numerical control machines, which it alleges have dual-purpose technology that can be used for nuclear arms proliferation. This move echoes a previous incident in February 2020, where China was suspected of attempting to supply an autoclave to Pakistan under the guise of an ‘industrial dryer.’ The cargo spat poses one of the initial foreign diplomacy challenges for Pakistan’s newly elected President, Arif Alvi.
