There's been widespread criticism of the Indian government following its sacking of the chief of the Navy, Admiral Vishnu Bhagwat.

Two former Navy chiefs have been critical of the dismissal, and a former army general V.N Sharma described it as a hasty decision by the government.

Opposition parties from the left of the political spectrum have also condemned the sacking.

Admiral Bhagwat was dismissed yesterday after a dispute over the nomination of his deputy.