India expected to sign 12 deals with China soon

India and China, competing worldwide in their search for oil and gas reserves, will jointly bid for, explore and produce energy under an agreement to be signed this week, India’s oil minister said yesterday.

Petroleum minister Mani Shankar Aiyar said at least five agreements are to be signed between Indian and Chinese companies, with seven others likely to be finalised during his January 12-13 visit to China.