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BEIJING: Terming India's plans to conduct oil exploration off Vietnam coast in the South China Sea as "illegal", a state-run Chinese daily today said it is an "unwise move" that may "sabotage" positive momentum in ties.
"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," the China Daily said in an editorial. Titled 'India should rethink its oil exploration plans', the editorial said according to reports India's Oil and Natural Gas Corporation plans to restart exploration activities in the waters off Vietnam's coastline which 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," it said.
READ ALSO: China starts naval drills in disputed South China Sea amid heightened tensions
About India's response to such criticism in the past that it is an economic activity which has no bearing on the dispute, the daily said, "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."
Significantly, China defends its plans to build an economic corridor with Pakistan through Azad Kashmir as a commercial activity aimed at improving people's livelihoods.
"What's more, the meddling of outside forces, such as the United States, in the maritime disputes in these waters has already disrupted regional efforts to resolve them peacefully," the daily said.
India's oil exploration off Vietnam 'illegal', Chinese mouthpiece says - The Times of India
"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," the China Daily said in an editorial. Titled 'India should rethink its oil exploration plans', the editorial said according to reports India's Oil and Natural Gas Corporation plans to restart exploration activities in the waters off Vietnam's coastline which 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," it said.
READ ALSO: China starts naval drills in disputed South China Sea amid heightened tensions
About India's response to such criticism in the past that it is an economic activity which has no bearing on the dispute, the daily said, "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."
Significantly, China defends its plans to build an economic corridor with Pakistan through Azad Kashmir as a commercial activity aimed at improving people's livelihoods.
"What's more, the meddling of outside forces, such as the United States, in the maritime disputes in these waters has already disrupted regional efforts to resolve them peacefully," the daily said.
India's oil exploration off Vietnam 'illegal', Chinese mouthpiece says - The Times of India