IRIS Dena sinking: BJP says illogical to blame India for US attack on Iranian frigate

New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday said blaming India for the US attack on Iranian naval vessel IRIS Dena is illogical and misleading, as Congress lashed out at the government over the attack on a warship returning after participating in an Indian naval exercise.The Bharatiya Janata Party pointed out that the attack occurred about 250 nautical miles from the Indian coastline, far beyond the country’s territorial waters and maritime jurisdiction. Holding India responsible for incidents involving the United States and Iran in international waters is not only factually incorrect but also diplomatically untenable, the report said.Amit Malviya of the Bharatiya Janata Party said: “Under international maritime law, a country’s responsibility does not extend to all incidents that occur in the wider maritime area simply because of geographical proximity. India has maritime proximity to many countries along the Indian Ocean coast, but proximity cannot be confused with control or responsibility.”Incidents in international waters, especially involving third countries, do not fall within India’s legal or operational ambit, he said.“Attempts to drag India into this incident ignore the basic principles of maritime jurisdiction and appear to be based more on speculation and political narrative than facts. India neither controls activities in international waters nor is it a party to actions taken there by other sovereign states. In short, geography does not equal responsibility,” he said.BJP sources expressed dismay at the criticism from the Congress. “Those who call themselves the ‘natural ruling party’ cannot be expected to be so ignorant of the basics of international law,” said a senior party official.