ONGC, is exploring 3 Oil Blocks close to the disputed Spratly Islands – known as Nansha Islands in China – in partnership with the Vietnamese government, which claims sovereignty over the collection of 45 tiny islands and atolls along with China, Taiwan, Brunei, Malaysia and the Philippines.
Responding to questions on how India would safeguard its $600 million oil investments in the sea, its new Naval Chief Admiral D.K Joshi said he would send ships to protect "freedom of navigation in international waters." If the situation required it "we are prepared for that," he said
ndia and China are locked in a maritime arms race in the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean where both are trying to expand their influence.
China has struck deals to build ports in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan which India fears is a 'string of pearls' policy to strangle its rival. Both are investing in nuclear submarines and aircraft carriers in their battle for regional supremacy.
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