“There was a hype about INS Vikrant approaching Karachi. We were keeping a very close eye on the activities at sea […] we were monitoring it from day one.

“On the night of May 6 and 7, it was close to Bombay and on May 9, it was essentially 400 nautical miles from the Pakistani coast and it retreated close to Bombay,” Vice Admiral Nawaz said.

“If a carrier gets within 400 nautical miles, it simplifies our problem. The Navy maritime air arm was proper ready to generate a response at all times and I was in contact with Deputy Chief of Air Staff Aurangzeb at all times. If there was any aggression from the sea we were ready to respond effectively.”

“As a pro military officer, I don’t want to underestimate the enemy, but let’s put some things in perspective. The Vikrant sails with 8-12 MiG-29s — barely essential to carry out its own air defence.”

“So the enemy fully understood the cost they would have to pay for venturing from the sea, and so they didn’t,” he added.