India on Friday voiced its “concern” over the recent developments in the South China Sea where Chinese and Vietnamese ships are locked in a tense standoff while asserting that freedom of navigation in the high waters should not be impeded.
“We have been following with concern recent developments in the South China Sea. We believe that maintenance of peace, stability, growth and prosperity in the region is of vital interest to the international community,” the Spokesperson in the External Affairs Ministry said here.
Calling for a resolution in accordance with principles of international law, he said, India “maintains that freedom of navigation in the South China Sea should not be impeded and call for cooperation to ensure security of sea-lanes and strengthening of maritime security”.
The standoff started when China deployed a deep sea oil rig into waters close to the Paracel Islands, which, Vietnam, says belong to it. Vietnamese Government immediately dispatched ships.