NEW DELHI, Oct. 29 (UPI) -- Indian and Vietnamese energy companies announced memorandum of understanding were signed for exploration in the disputed waters of the South China Sea.
India's Oil and Natural Gas Corp. Ltd. signed the measures to explore several reserve areas off the Vietnamese coast alongside its counterparts at PetroVietnam Exploration Production Corp.
China is at odds with Vietnam and other Asia-Pacific nations over sovereignty in the waters of the South China Sea.
China National Petroleum Corp. in July completed drilling and exploration activity in waters of the South China Sea disputed with Vietnam.
Apart from the rig deployment, China has taken provocative actions in the South China Sea against most of its littoral neighbors.
China says it's operating within its maritime borders, though Vietnam said the rig's deployment was a violation of international laws.
The ONGC agreement with PetroVietnam was signed Tuesday in New Delhi in the presence of visiting Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Both companies said they were interested in exploiting the gas potential in the areas in question.
