United States has snubbed concerns expressed by India with regard to the passage of its naval ship USS John Paul Jones through its Exclusive Economic Zone.While India claimed that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea does not authorise other States to carry out exercises without consent of the coastal state, the United States has responded by saying that India's claim is inconsistent with international law.In a statement issued by the External Affairs Ministry said, "The Government of India's stated position on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea is that the Convention does not authorise other States to carry out in the Exclusive Economic Zone and on the continental shelf, military exercises or manoeuvres, in particular those involving the use of weapons or explosives, without the consent of the coastal state."
The USS John Paul Jones was continuously monitored transiting from the Persian Gulf towards the Malacca Straits, it said, adding, "We have conveyed our concerns regarding this passage through our EEZ to the US Government through diplomatic channels."The Pentagon, meanwhile, has said that its naval ship conducting navigational rights within India's Exclusive Economic Zone was consistent with international law.The US Navy has declared that it conducted "freedom of navigation patrols" in the Indian EEZ near Lakshadweep this week, without deliberately seeking New Delhi's prior consent.
"On April 7, 2021 (local time), the USS John Paul Jones asserted navigational rights and freedoms approximately 130 nautical miles west of the Lakshadweep Islands, inside India's exclusive economic zone, without requesting India's prior consent, consistent with international law. India requires prior consent for military exercises or manoeuvres in its exclusive economic zone or continental shelf, a claim inconsistent with international law,"a statement by the US 7th Fleet Public Affairs said.The 7th Fleet is the largest of the US Navy's forward-deployed fleets. The US had sent elements of the 7th Fleet to the Bay of Bengal to pressure India during the 1971 war with Pakistan that ended with the liberation of Bangladesh.
"India requires prior consent for military exercises or maneuvers in its EEZ or continental shelf, a claim inconsistent with international law. This freedom of navigation operation upheld the rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of the sea recognized in international law by challenging India's excessive maritime claims," the US Navy's statement said."US forces operate in the Indo-Pacific region on a daily basis. All operations are designed in accordance with international law and demonstrate that the US will fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows," it said."We conduct routine and regular FONOPs, as we have done in the past and will continue to in the future. FONOPs are not about one country, nor are they about making political statements," it added.
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