Pentagon defends US Navy ship by asserting navigation rights in Indian EEZ

The Pentagon has defended its navy by asserting its navigation rights in India’s exclusive economic zone without taking permission from New Delhi, calling the move “in accordance with international law”.

In an unusual move, the US Navy announced that it had conducted a freedom of navigation operation in Indian waters without prior consent on Wednesday to challenge India’s “excessive maritime claims”, prompting a reaction from New Delhi, which said on Friday that he had raised his concerns to Washington through diplomatic channels.

The Department of External Affairs (MEA) also challenged the US Navy’s 7th Fleet statement on April 7 that the guided missile destroyer USS John Paul Jones’ Freedom of Navigation Operation (FONOP) “confirmed the rights , Freedoms and Lawful Uses “of the sea recognized in international law by challenging India’s” excessive maritime claims “.

Asked about India’s reaction to the US Navy’s decision, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said on Friday: “I can tell you that the USS John Paul Jones, a Navy destroyer, said on Friday. the rights and freedoms of navigation in the vicinity of the Republic of Maldives, by carrying out innocent passage through its territorial sea within the framework of normal operations in its exclusive economic zone without requesting prior authorization “.

Earlier, announcing the operation, the 7th Fleet statement read: “On April 7, 2021 (local time), the USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53) asserted the rights and freedoms of navigation approximately 130 nautical miles to the West Lakshadweep Islands, interior of India, exclusive economic zone, without prior consent of India, in accordance with international law. “

Kirby, in response to a question from reporters at a Pentagon press conference, said: “This is in accordance with international law.”

“Once again, we continue to maintain the right, if not the responsibility, to fly, navigate and operate in accordance with international law,” he said.

Kirby said it was the responsibility of the United States to uphold the freedom of navigation and the rights, freedoms and lawful uses of the sea recognized by international law.

The MEA said in its statement: “ India’s stated position on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is that the Convention does not allow other states to conduct activities in the United Nations. exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and on the continental shelf, military exercises or maneuvers, in particular those involving the use of weapons or explosives, without the consent of the coastal State.

“The USS John Paul Jones has been continuously monitored while in transit from the Persian Gulf to the Strait of Malacca. We have expressed our concerns about this passage through our EEZ to the United States government through diplomatic channels,” he said. added the MEA.