File photo NEW DELHI: The US Navy guided-missile destroyer USS John Paul Jones carried out a freedom of navigation operation near Lakshadweep Islands in India's Exclusive Economic Zone on April 7, without deliberately seeking New Delhi’s prior consent. The exercise was carried out to challenge India's excessive maritime claims, the US Navy said in a statement. The government conveyed its concern to the US, saying such activities cannot be carried out without its consent. "Other countries are not allowed to carry out in the Exclusive Economic Zone military exercise and manoeuvres, in particular those involving the use of weapons or explosives, without the consent of the coastal state," the government's statement read.