A controversial slick has engulfed ONGC's plans to invest huge sums in sensitive nations such as Sudan, Libya, Myanmar, Iran and Iraq. These countries are either haunted by civil wars or are accused of supporting global terrorist organisations and the Kashmir cause or are hit by stiff US sanctions. But ONGC chairman Subir Raha defends his decisions saying it is crucial for the country's oil security and that the risks have been taken into account. Excerpts from an interview with Alam Srinivas: