Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 201; Flight Crew Total 9705; Flight Crew Type 731
Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors; Procedure
On arrival assigned POKON 2A arrival and then direct to EMROS. Time of day was civil twilight with smoke limiting visibility. We were then given 3;000 feet and read back 3;000 feet for radar vectors for Runway 27. ATC delayed our turn downwind to base to final. On base leg we saw terrain ahead and received a terrain warning from aircraft. Captain immediately turned right and climbed. ATC hesitated with assigning heading and simply advised we should climb to 3;800 feet. We asked for a heading to intercept approach course and clearance for approach. ATC seemed confused and believe he wasn't monitoring our approach. We had stable final approach and landing. After shutdown the Captain called the controllers to discuss approach. They said it was normal and not an issue. A lack of communication and language barrier may have been a factor in this event.
Air carrier First Officer reported receiving a terrain warning on approach to VABB airport; citing communication difficulties with ATC as contributing.