In a concerning development, India expressed its concerns to US diplomats after a US Warship passed through EEZ region near Lakshadweep Islands without consent. The EEZ regions are Exclusive Economic Zones of a country where no other country can carry out any military operations without seeking consent from the respective country. However, the US Navy claimed that it conducted its FONOP operation (Freedom of Navigation Operations) which was in line with the International laws.
The Indian Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying, “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.”
Moreover, the Ministry also added that the warship (USS John Paul Jones) was monitored by Indian naval ships to be transiting from the Persian Gulf towards Malacca Straits. “We have conveyed our concerns regarding this passage through our EEZ to the Government of U.S.A through diplomatic channels,” the Ministry added.
Interestingly, the geo-political analysts were made to raise their eyebrows when the US issued a statement saying, “This freedom of navigation operation (FONOP) upheld the rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of the sea recognized in international law by challenging India’s excessive maritime claims. 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.”
What is a EEZ or Exclusive Economic Zone?
Each country has an Exclusive Economic Zone to its name which extends up to 370 kms from its shores. The respective country reserves all the rights to the resources in the water which includes resources like gas, oil, minerals, fish, etc. If a country wants to conduct an operation in the EEZ of a country, it needs to raise a request to the respective country.
The warship that passed through India’s EEZ was the USS John Paul Jones. The USS John Paul Jones is a warship that is fully capable of conducting offense and defence missions. The ship is equipped with Tomahawk cruise missiles, RGM-84 Harpoon (all-weather, anti-ship missile) and RIM-66 Standard missiles (medium-range, surface-to-air missile).
The development has caught political analysts and Indian diplomats both off guard as it comes at a time where the US and India ties are much more strengthened. The two countries recently concluded its naval drills in the IOR (Indian Ocean Region).
Moreover, the two countries also came together during the QUAD meeting which was aimed to create concrete action plans to counter the Chinese dominance over the Indo-Pacific region. Additionally, Indian defence dignitaries also hosted US Defence Secretary, Lloyd Austin recently where the two countries resolved to join forces and uphold diplomatic ties.
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One should note that this is not the first time US has conducted a FONOP operation and passed through India’s EEZ without consent. But the aggression with which the 7th Fleet conducted the mission can be considered alarming. Moreover, the hardwired press note that the 7th fleet issued can be inferred as US’ approach towards peacekeeping through dominance. In the press note, the 7th fleet claimed-
“U.S. Forces operate in the Indo-Pacific region on a daily basis. All operations are designed in accordance with international law and demonstrate that the United States will fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows.”
“If you have to do anything in our EEZ, you have to notify us and take permission,” navy chief Admiral Singh said in 2019 after a Chinese vessel that had intruded into Indian waters near the Andaman and Nicobar Islands was repelled.
