Oil Minister is in Vietnam makes India’s stand clear on Indo-Vietnam strategic oil cooperation

BHUBANESWAR:Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural gas Dharmendra Pradhan has been to Vietnam as a part of President Pranab Mukharjee’s 4 day state visit to the East Asian state. The Oil Minister’s presence in the president’s team is seen as a significant gesture of India towards dealing strategic energy cooperation with Vietnam.
During the visit there is possibility of a deal being clinched between ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL) and PetroVietnam, as “OVL has been offered two additional blocks for participation” according to the ministry of External Affairs.
However China is hostile towards any sort of activities in the South China Sea to which it holds as disputed territory. On this background India’s interest to go for oil exploration in this region could meet challenges.
This trip draws further attention in the global diplomatic arena as the Chinese President Xi Jingping is arriving India on the 17th.