According to an annual Pentagon report, the US military carried out “freedom of navigation” operations against 13 countries last year, including India and China.
In the report for the period October 1, 2014 to September 30, 2015, the Pentagon stated it used its right of freedom of navigation multiple times against India, China, Indonesia, Iran, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Oman, the Philippines and Vietnam.
The US military also conducted single operations against Argentina, Nicaragua and Taiwan, the report said. On India, the Pentagon report said, “Prior consent required for military exercises or manoeuvrers in the EEZ (exclusive economic zone).”
On China, it said maritime claims involved excessive straight baselines; jurisdiction over airspace above the EEZ, domestic law criminalizing survey activity by foreign entities in the EEZ; restriction on foreign aircraft flying through an Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) without the resolve to enter national airspace; prior consent needed for innocent way of foreign military ships through the territorial seas (TTS).
While China alleges that the US is needlessly targeting it, the Pentagon says it carries out freedom of navigation operations around the world. Such operations include sending navy ships and military aircraft into areas where other countries have tried to restrict access.