India opposes restrictions on freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea.

The Economic Times, in an article published on September 12th by author Dipanjan Roy Chaudhury, reported that the Indian government has emphasized freedom of navigation in the South China Sea region, where New Delhi has strong commercial and strategic interests.

The artificial islands that China has illegally built in the South China Sea, as seen from a US reconnaissance aircraft. Photo: CNN.

This move comes amid signs that China may be ready to restrict freedom of navigation in the region.

Senior Indian officials say that China's actions, such as claiming sovereignty, then illegally building artificial islands and potentially imposing an Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) in the region, not only affect India's commercial and strategic interests but also violate international principles of freedom of navigation and overflight.

Although China has not yet extended its ADIZ to the South China Sea, officials say India has been alarmed by early signs of Beijing's actions and will counter any such actions.

According to Vietnam+