India should rethink its oil exploration plans

India's intention to once again explore for oil in the disputed waters of the South China Sea is an unwise move, as it will further complicate the maritime disputes and do a disservice to maintaining the positive momentum that has been achieved in China-India ties.

According to media reports, India's state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation plans to restart exploration activities in the waters off Vietnam's coastline that are also claimed by China. The Indian company should be told: Without the permission from the Chinese government, activities conducted by any foreign company in these disputed waters are illegal.

New Delhi may deem its oil exploration activities in the South China Sea purely economic in nature. But, considering the already existing tensions in the South China Sea, New Delhi's move will only aggravate the situation.