Let the sea be calm

If Vietnam and India insist on jointly tapping oil resources in the disputed waters of the South China Sea as reported, they may risk setting off a new round of tension in the troubled waters. Their relationship with China will be at stake too.

According to Indian media reports, the country's state oil company, ONGC Videsh Ltd, plans to explore oil in two Vietnam blocks in the disputed waters. The Press Trust of India, the country's news agency, reported that India's external affairs minister is scheduled to discuss the cooperation mechanism with Vietnamese officials in Hanoi on Friday.

India has been quick to dismiss China's objection to the oil exploration project, The Times of India reported on Thursday citing the external affairs ministry's spokesperson, who insisted that energy cooperation with Vietnam should grow.