India-China row over oil exploration

India said that its ties with Vietnam in the hydrocarbon sector were in accordance with the international laws and it would like the bilateral cooperation to grow in the coming years.

New Delhi articulated its stand on the contentious issue in the wake of Beijing’s assertion that it was opposed to any country engaging in oil and gas exploration in “waters under the jurisdiction of China”. China claims “indisputable sovereignty” over South China Sea.
The row erupted just ahead of India-Vietnam Joint Commission Meet, which is scheduled to be held in Hanoi on Friday.

External Affairs Minister S M Krishna and his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Binh Minh are likely to jointly chair the meet.

India and Vietnam are expected to discuss bilateral cooperation in the hydrocarbon sector.