India's Most Strategic Islands? Why Andaman And Nicobar Matter More Than Ever

Summary

India's Most Strategic Islands? Why Andaman And Nicobar Matter More Than Ever Great Nicobar Project, besides serving geopolitical aspirations, could bring development to islands. Greenfield Airport could boost tourism and expand Navy’s operational outreach The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are emerging as one of New Delhi’s most valuable strategic assets, not because of any single military project, but because geography, infrastructure and geopolitics are converging. - Trump Says Strait Of Hormuz Will Remain Open: 'Iranian Leaders Are Stone-Cold Crazy' - India Backs 2016 South China Sea Ruling; Stresses Peaceful Resolution, Freedom Of Navigation Under UNCLOS - Iran Threatens to 'Crush' Regional Infrastructure If US Strikes | War In Deadlock | The Right Stand - Opinion | What Rattled India's Enemies, Triggered Media Hitjobs About Modi's Visit Down Under A recent analysis by Indian defence portal IDRW says that Washington increasingly views India’s military and dual-use infrastructure build-up in the island chain as a “force multiplier" that strengthens stability across the Indo-Pacific. It further said that a stronger Indian military presence on the islands enhances regional maritime security, disaster response, logistics and surveillance while complementing broader Indo-Pacific objectives. The islands’ strategic value stems from India’s own security interests, expanding maritime responsibilities and growing role as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region. “The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are strategically vital for India as they are located close to the Strait of Malacca and Southeast Asian countries such as Myanmar, Thailand, and Indonesia. They are geographically positioned to monitor and tap into maritime traffic passing through one of the world’s busiest chokepoints, and strengthen ties with the country’s eastern neighbourhood, as envisaged in its Act East Policy," said Sohini Bose, Associate Fellow at Observer Research Foundation (ORF). Geography Is India’s Biggest Advantage Stretching across the eastern Indian Ocean, the archipelago lies close to the Malacca Strait, one of the world’s busiest maritime chokepoints linking the Indian Ocean with the Pacific. Nearly a third of global shipping and a significant share of global energy supplies pass through these waters every year. Any disruption to these sea lanes would have far-reaching consequences for global trade. For India, this location provides unparalleled maritime domain awareness. Rather than controlling the Malacca Strait, India’s advantage lies in being able to observe activity around one of the world’s most strategically important waterways. This improves early warning, strengthens naval deployments and allows quicker responses during emergencies. Former Navy chief Admiral Arun Prakash has often described geography as India’s greatest strategic asset in the eastern Indian Ocean. Unlike artificial military advantages that require constant investment, the islands’ location offers India a permanent geopolitical advantage. What Exactly Is India Building There? India’s infrastructure push is not limited to military facilities. Over the past few years, the government has upgraded runways capable of handling larger military aircraft, strengthened naval bases, expanded logistics facilities and improved surveillance and communications networks across the islands. The Andaman and Nicobar Command, India’s only integrated tri-service command, has also received increasing attention as New Delhi seeks better coordination between the Army, Navy and Air Force. One of the most ambitious projects is the proposed Great Nicobar development, which includes an international trans-shipment port, a greenfield airport, power infrastructure and improved connectivity. The project aims to transform Great Nicobar into both an economic and strategic hub capable of supporting commercial shipping while also improving India’s ability to sustain military operations far from the mainland. “This is also the rationale behind the Great Nicobar Project, which, in addition to serving these geopolitical aspirations, is tailored to bring long-anticipated development to the islands. The Greenfield Airport is a dual-use facility within the project, expected to boost tourism in the islands and expand the Navy’s operational outreach," said Bose. At the same time, the project has sparked concerns among environmentalists over its impact on fragile ecosystems, biodiversity and indigenous communities. Why Does This Matter To The US? Washington’s interest is driven less by military basing and more by strategic cooperation. The US increasingly sees capable regional partners as essential to maintaining stability across the Indo-Pacific. Rather than expanding permanent American deployments everywhere, the focus has shifted towards strengthening the capabilities of trusted partners such as India, Japan and Australia. Improved airfields and logistics facilities enhance humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations during cyclones, earthquakes and tsunamis—missions in which India has frequently played a leading regional role. The islands also strengthen maritime domain awareness, allowing better tracking of commercial shipping, illegal activities and naval movements across the eastern Indian Ocean. Existing defence agreements such as the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) further improve operational cooperation by allowing reciprocal access to designated military facilities for logistics support during exercises, port visits and humanitarian missions. Interoperability has also grown through common platforms such as the P-8 maritime patrol aircraft, operated by both India and the United States. These aircraft significantly enhance anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering and long-range maritime surveillance. How The Islands Fit Into New Delhi’s Wider Maritime Posture Vis-à-Vis China? Over the past decade, the People’ Liberation Army Navy has steadily increased its deployments into the Indian Ocean through anti-piracy missions, submarine patrols, research vessels and growing access to overseas ports. China’s expanding commercial investments across the Indian Ocean Region have also increased its maritime presence. India does not view every Chinese deployment as an immediate military threat. However, sustained Chinese naval activity has reinforced New Delhi’s need for better surveillance, faster response capabilities and greater operational reach across the eastern Indian Ocean. “Beijing suffers from its ‘Malacca dilemma’, or apprehensions of obstructions in this chokepoint that can hinder nearly 80% of its overseas trade," Bose points out. She further said China has sought to maintain an “active presence" in the region to ensure uninterrupted passage. “However, as China’s strategic footprint grows in the Indian Ocean Region, apprehensions that its rise will destabilise the status quo increase among other stakeholders, including India. New Delhi regards the Bay of Bengal (northeastern Indian Ocean) as its ‘primary area of interest’. The location of the islands, close to the Strait of Malacca and straddling critical shipping routes, provides India with the opportunity to ensure freedom of navigation in these waters, through surveillance, naval patrols and maritime domain awareness," she explained. Rather than signalling confrontation, the infrastructure build-up reflects India’s effort to strengthen deterrence, improve preparedness and safeguard critical sea lanes that are vital to both national and global economic security. Will Andaman & Nicobar Become The Cornerstone Of India’s Indo-Pacific Strategy? The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are no longer viewed simply as distant territories on India’s eastern frontier. They are increasingly becoming the centrepiece of India’s evolving maritime strategy. Their value lies not only in their proximity to one of the world’s busiest shipping routes but also in their ability to support surveillance, logistics, humanitarian assistance, disaster response and joint military operations. “Given the geographic location and strategic potential, Andaman and Nicobar Islands are already a vital aspect of India’s vision of the Indo-Pacific, which encapsulates its Act East Policy. While the Andaman and Nicobar Command protects the country’s eastern maritime security interests and engages in collaborative security engagements with Southeast Asia, development projects such as those in Great Nicobar will enhance the island’s strategic and economic viability, making it a more conducive platform for forging ties with the neighbouring countries. However, it will be simultaneously necessary to conserve the ecological and anthropogenic rarities to ensure the sustainable development of these islands," stressed Bose. If India succeeds, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are unlikely to remain merely an outpost. Over the next decade, they could become the cornerstone of India’s Indo-Pacific strategy, strengthening its role as a leading maritime power while reinforcing its long-standing commitment to strategic autonomy. Key Questions Answered The Great Nicobar Project faces criticism for potential ecological damage and tribal disruption. Approximately 130 square kilometers of forest land are being utilized for the project. Critics warn of irreversible environmental damage. About the Author Enjoy uninterrupted reading? Unlock the full story, distraction-free Scan the QR code to download the News18 app and enjoy a seamless news experience anytime, anywhere.