New Delhi: Ahead of the visit of Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung to India next week, India on Friday indicated that it is open to accepting Vietnam’s offer, if found commercially viable, of participation in additional oil blocks in the South China Sea, despite Chinese concerns.
Asked if China’s concern on India’s presence in the South China Sea will be an impediment in the country accepting Vietnam’s offer of additional oil blocks to it, ministry of external affairs spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said, “Vietnam has offered some oil blocks in the South China Sea.
We are examining it and if they are commercially viable for us we will take that into account and proceed further. India and Vietnam relationship is not contingent on other countries. Our relationship is a bilateral one and we focus on those bilateral issues.”
China and Vietnam have a tense relationship due to their stand-off over the South China Sea, a huge source of hydrocarbons. China has been objecting to India’s oil exploration projects in the South China Sea.
Increased economic engagement will be the focus during the Vietnamese Prime Minister’s visit next week.
On India’s extension of a $100 million line of credit for purchase of defence equipment by Vietnam, the ministry officials said it was under discussion for implementation and the government will see the progress as negotiations continue between Vietnam and Indian defence suppliers.
The Vietnamese Prime Minister will be accompanied by a delegation of 50 businessmen and will hold talks with the top Indian leadership on strategically-important bil-ateral issues of security and energy as well as regional matters on October 27 and 28. Before reaching New Delhi on October 27 evening, he will visit Bodh Gaya.
