China on Thursday issued a cautious warning in response to a Reuters report that the U.S. and India are mulling a plan to conduct joint naval patrols in disputed South China Sea. Beijing has categorically stated that any interference from countries outside the region poses serious threat to the overall peace and stability.

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"No cooperation between any countries should be directed at a third party", Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei responded in an email to Reuters.  "Countries from outside the area must stop pushing forward the militarization of the South China Sea, cease endangering the sovereignty and national security of littoral countries in the name of 'freedom of navigation' and harming the peace and stability of the region."  

By mentioning 'outside country', China is thought to be indirectly pointing accusing fingers towards the U.S. and India.

India, which is located in South Asia, has usually stayed out of the South China Sea dispute. For many years, however, the U.S. has been offering tactful as well as strategic support to India in a bid to counter China's increasing influence n the region.

Although the U.S. and India have not issued any official statements regarding the alleged plans for joint naval patrols in the South China Sea, many foreign experts have given credence to the idea.

Some experts are of the opinion that China's increasingly assertive territorial claims in the South China Sea over the past few months may have pushed the U.S. to convince India for a joint naval patrol.      

The recent news linking India to the South China Sea comes few months after reports surfaced that India is seeking partnership with Vietnam to explore oil in South China Sea. India is also planning to build a satellite tracking station in Vietnam to keep an eye on China's activities in South China Sea.   

TagsSouth China Sea, India, china