India´s foreign ministry said Thursday the INS Airavat was sailing about 45 nautical miles off the coast of Vietnam on July 22 when a caller identifying himself as the Chinese navy made radio contact and told the Indian vessel: "You are entering Chinese waters." [break]
The foreign ministry said no ship or aircraft were visible and that the Airavat continued its journey.
China has grown more assertive — and at times aggressive — in pressing its claims to much of the South China Sea, aided by a buildup of its navy. Chinese ships have rousted fishing vessels from Vietnam and the Philippines, both of which contest China´s claims.
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