The United States has termed its unapproved exercise within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone, off the Lakshadweep Islands, an innocent move,...
The United States has termed its unapproved exercise within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone, off the Lakshadweep Islands, an innocent move, PTI reported on Saturday. But America indicated that it did not carry out military movement in the zone, according to NDTV.
The USS John Paul Jones, a destroyer ship, had passed through the exclusive zone in the Arabian Sea without taking India’s permission on April 7. “I can tell you that the USS John Paul Jones asserted navigational rights and freedoms in the vicinity of the Republic of the Maldives by conducting innocent passage through its territorial sea in normal operations within its exclusive economic zone without requesting prior permission,” Pentagon Spokesperson John Kirby said, according to PTI.
Kirby claimed that the United States’ Freedom of Navigation Operations were consistent with international law. “Again, we continue to maintain the right, indeed the responsibility, to fly, sail, and operate in accordance with international law,” he added, according to the news agency.
The official said that it was the US’ responsibility to uphold the freedom of navigation and the lawful uses of the sea recognised in international law.
Also read: India conveys its concern to US after warship conducts exercise near Lakshadweep without consent
An unidentified US embassy official also called the patrol a routine exercise, The Indian Express reported....
