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India denies confronting Chinese naval vessel
India has denied reports in a London financial daily that a Chinese navel vessel had confronted an Indian naval ship- INS Airavat- in the South China Sea in July off the Vietnam coast.
In response to questions on a report in a leading international daily- The Financial Times, the Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday, "There was no confrontation involving the INS Airavat."
"The Ministry has seen news reports about an alleged confrontation between an Indian Navy ship and a Chinese vessel off the coast of Vietnam in July 2011.
He said the Indian Naval vessel, INS Airavat "paid a friendly visit to Vietnam between 19 to 28 July 2011."
"On July 22, INS Airavat sailed from the Vietnamese port of Nha Trang towards Hai Phong, where it was to make a port call. At a distance of 45 nautical miles from the Vietnamese coast in the South China Sea, it was contacted on open radio channel by a caller identifying himself as the Chinese Navy stating that you are entering Chinese waters."
No ship or aircraft was visible from INS Airavat, which proceeded on her onward journey as scheduled, he said
The MEA said India supports freedom of navigation in international waters, including in the South China Sea, and the right of passage in accordance with accepted principles of international law. These principles should be respected by all.
The Island
India has denied reports in a London financial daily that a Chinese navel vessel had confronted an Indian naval ship- INS Airavat- in the South China Sea in July off the Vietnam coast.
In response to questions on a report in a leading international daily- The Financial Times, the Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday, "There was no confrontation involving the INS Airavat."
"The Ministry has seen news reports about an alleged confrontation between an Indian Navy ship and a Chinese vessel off the coast of Vietnam in July 2011.
He said the Indian Naval vessel, INS Airavat "paid a friendly visit to Vietnam between 19 to 28 July 2011."
"On July 22, INS Airavat sailed from the Vietnamese port of Nha Trang towards Hai Phong, where it was to make a port call. At a distance of 45 nautical miles from the Vietnamese coast in the South China Sea, it was contacted on open radio channel by a caller identifying himself as the Chinese Navy stating that you are entering Chinese waters."
No ship or aircraft was visible from INS Airavat, which proceeded on her onward journey as scheduled, he said
The MEA said India supports freedom of navigation in international waters, including in the South China Sea, and the right of passage in accordance with accepted principles of international law. These principles should be respected by all.
The Island
