India rejects China's territorial claim over South China Sea, calls water body 'part of global commons'

India on Thursday said South China Sea is a "part of global commons" and it firmly stands for freedom of navigation and overflight in se international waterways, an assertion that comes days after US rejected most of China's maritime claims in region.

India's assertion comes after Trump administration, in a major policy decision, categorically rejected territorial claims made by Beijing in South China Sea, stating that it has legal grounds to unilaterally impose its will on region.

Asked about US' assertion, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said India has articulated its position on South China Sea on several occasions in past and most recently on May 21, 2020.

"Our position on this issue has been clear and consistent. South China Sea is a part of global commons and India has an abiding interest in peace and stability in region," he said.

"We firmly stand for freedom of navigation and overflight and unimpeded lawful commerce in se international waterways, in accordance with international law, tably UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on Law of Sea)," Srivastava said.

India also believes that any differences be resolved peacefully by respecting legal and diplomatic processes and without resorting to threat or use of force, he said.

MEA spokesperson's remarks come after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday categorically rejected territorial claims made by Beijing in South China Sea, and asserted that "Chinese predatory world view" has place in 21st century.

" world will t allow Beijing to treat South China Sea as its maritime empire. America stands with our Souast Asian allies and partners in protecting ir sovereign rights to offshore resources, consistent with ir rights and obligations under international law," Pompeo had said in a major policy anuncement.

United States, he had said, stands with international community in defence of freedom of seas and respect for sovereignty and rejects any push to impose "might makes right" in South China Sea or wider region.

Beijing claims almost all of 1.3 million square mile South China Sea as its sovereign territory. China has been building military bases on artificial islands in region also claimed by Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.

China has impeded commercial activity like fishing or mineral exploration by countries like Vietnam and Philippines.