A day before Beijing sent a formal request to allow its warships to enter Indian waters in search of the missing Malaysian plane, two Chinese Navy frigates intruded more than 100 nautical miles into Indian waters in the Andaman Sea, according to a top government source.
Officials claim that last week, during search operations for the missing Malaysian airliner MH 370 in the Indian Ocean, two Chinese warships were intercepted by Indian Coast Guards and Navy patrolling vessels when they were moving inside 110 nautical miles of Indian waters.
"The moment Indian Coast Guard ship intercepted two Chinese vessels inside Indian territorial waters, they asked them to go back. Our patrolling team informed Chinese vessels about breach of the maritime boundary by them,"said an officer.
Sources maintained that before India could raise the issue, Chinese government made a formal request for venturing into Indian waters early last week.
"We are in the process of lodging a formal protest with the Chinese government for violation by its navy. The matter will be taken up at appropriate plateforms," said the officer.
Official says that close to the Andaman Sea water, India has its tri-service command, which is strategically important for the country's maritime security and defence. India's military assets to counter any possible Chinese aggression are deployed in the area.
"Fearing Indian military assets could be exposed to Chinese warships, if they manage to enter the area, navy and coast guards have serious objection to it," said a defence minister official.
Chinese navy has justified its presence in Indian Ocean Region for its anti-piracy patrol.
Indian government last week had turned down China's request to allow its warships including a salvage vessel and two frigates to venture Indian waters in the Andaman Sea to locate the missing plane.
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