India drawn in to struggle for South China Sea

A drilling platform in the South China Sea. (Photo/Xinhua)

India has been drawn in to the struggle for the South China Sea after China National Offshore Oil Corporation opened up bids on nine blocks in a disputed area for joint investment in offshore exploration, according to a report from the national Indian Express newspaper on Jul. 17.
Among the nine blocks opened by China's state-run offshore oil company for foreign investment, block number 128 is already covered by a contract signed by India's ONGC Videsh Limited (OVL) with the government of Vietnam. This prompted New Delhi to express its concern over "freedom of navigation" in the South China Sea last week at the ASEAN regional forum held in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh, according to the newspaper.

Read More.............