Jackpot for China, discovers oil reserves of more than 100 million tonnes in…, big threat for India due to…
China oil discovered in South China Sea: India’s neighboring country China has surprised the whole world after its state-owned oil company CNOOC has discovered huge reserves of more than 100 million tonnes of crude oil and 380 billion cubic feet of natural gas in South China Sea. This reserve is located in the Caping South area of the Pearl River Mouth Basin, which is 300 kilometers away from Guangdong province. This discovery has been confirmed by drilling the Caping South 1-1 well to a depth of 3462 meters and analyzing the oil gas strata of 35.2 meters. This discovery is being considered an important turning point not only in terms of energy resources but also in China’s geopolitical strategy.
This discovery of China has been made in a sea area where it already has maritime territorial disputes with countries like Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia and Taiwan. Now that reserves of ‘black gold’ have been discovered in this area, China can use it to strengthen its dominance. This discovery will give China relief from dependence on oil imports. It will also give China an opportunity to change the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific
Warning for India
This is a strategic challenge for India. India’s Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific Strategy are directly linked to the South China Sea. China’s growing influence in this region can affect India’s energy security, military movement and maritime trade. For this, India also needs to make efforts. Companies like India’s ONGC Videsh will have to work with Vietnam and ASEAN countries towards finding oil. Groups like QUAD will have to make collective efforts to answer China. Along with this, emphasis should be laid on counter strategy through defense and energy diplomacy.
China’s ‘Oil Diplomacy’
China now wants strategic control over the Indo-Pacific region, not just its economy, through oil. Countries like the US and Japan are already doing naval patrolling in this region, but now there is a need for a more clear and organized strategy. This policy of China is being called “Oil Diplomacy”, in which capture of energy resources, militarization of the maritime area, control over trade routes are going on simultaneously. This quest of China is much more than energy. This is the next phase of the battle for maritime supremacy, which includes the policies of regional powers, military strategy and global alliances.
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