NEW DELHI – The Indian government on Friday expressed concerns after a USNavy ship that conducted a “freedom of navigation” patrol in its exclusiveeconomic zone (EEZ) without its prior consent.

India’s External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi in astatement said, “We have conveyed our concerns regarding this passagethrough our EEZ to the Government of U.S.A through diplomatic channels”.

“The Government of India’s stated position on the United Nations Conventionon the Law of the Sea is that the Convention does not authorise otherStates to carry out in the Exclusive Economic Zone and on the continentalshelf, military exercises or manoeuvres, in particular those involving theuse of weapons or explosives, without the consent of the coastal state.

“The USS John Paul Jones was continuously monitored transiting from thePersian Gulf towards the Malacca Straits,” the statement read.

Earlier, the US 7th Fleet in a statement said the Navy ship assertednavigational rights and freedoms approximately 130 nautical miles west ofthe Lakshadweep Islands, inside India’s exclusive economic zone, withoutrequesting India’s prior consent, consistent with international law.

“India requires prior consent for military exercises or maneuvers in itsexclusive economic zone or continental shelf, a claim inconsistent withinternational law. This freedom of navigation operation (“FONOP”) upheldthe rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of the sea recognized ininternational law by challenging India’s excessive maritime claims,” the USstatement read.

“U.S. Forces operate in the Indo-Pacific region on a daily basis. Alloperations are designed in accordance with international law anddemonstrate that the United States will fly, sail and operate whereverinternational law allows,” it added.