India refutes allegation of naval intrusion into Bangla waters

27 December 2008

India has refuted allegations by the Bangladesh government that Indian ships had intruded into Bangladesh waters on Thursday and said the vessel, owned by the ministry of petroleum and natural gas, was touring block 14 and was very much within Indian waters.

Bangladesh had made the allegation as there was no clear maritime boundary between the two countries as yet. Bangladesh had earlier also asked India to stop all oil and mineral exploration activities in the region till the boundary issue was settled.

Dhaka, meanwhile, said it has moved two warships to confront an ''intrusion'' by three Indian vessels, apparently, including two naval ships, for oil and gas exploration, allegedly in Bangladeshi waters.

Some officials, though, said the alleged intrusion took place in ''disputed'' waters off Bangladesh's southwest coast.

A Bangladesh navy frigate and a battleship were sent to the scene last night and the Indian ships were asked to back off. Dhaka has ordered a probe into the incident.

Bangladeshi media quoted foreign ministry officials as saying that the Indian survey vessel was guilty of intrusion and the two navy ships had been escorting it.