By: Shashanka Das
In the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean, where geopolitical interests converge and strategic manoeuvres shape regional dynamics, India finds itself at a critical juncture. With China’s expanding presence in the Indian Ocean, including port interests in Sri Lanka and recent activities in the Maldives, India has raised alarms about safeguarding its maritime interests. Against this backdrop, India has embarked on a bold initiative centered around the Great Nicobar Island, signalling its resolve to bolster its maritime capabilities and regional influence.
Situated approximately 1,800 kilometers east of India’s mainland, Great Nicobar Island has emerged as the focal point of a massive development project worth $9 billion. Envisioned as a South Asian equivalent of “Hong Kong,” the project aims to transform the island into a bustling economic hub. Plans include the establishment of an international airport, a shipping terminal, tourism infrastructure, a power plant, and an industrial zone, among other facilities.
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President Droupadi Murmu’s recent five-day visit to Great Nicobar Island, which commenced on February 19, has been widely interpreted as a strategic move aimed at advancing the development project and fostering regional growth. The megaproject, unprecedented for the approximately 1,800-square-kilometer island, features a strategic port as its centerpiece, aligning with India’s Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 aimed at bolstering maritime development leading up to the country’s centennial independence anniversary.
The proposed terminal boasts a natural water depth of over 20 meters, positioning it to accommodate the largest container ships, thereby catalyzing economic growth in the region. However, beyond economic considerations, experts also highlight the potential security aspect of the initiative, given the strategic location of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands along major sea routes.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands hold profound strategic significance for India. Situated east of India’s mainland, in proximity to Indonesia’s Sumatra, and just a few hundred kilometers away from Myanmar, Thailand, and Malaysia, these islands have long been pivotal in regional geopolitics. Historical accounts underscore the complex dynamics surrounding the islands, with Indonesia once laying claims to Great Nicobar Island.
In the aftermath of the 1962 conflict between India and China, the Indian Navy assumed the responsibility of safeguarding and maintaining control over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. At the time, concerns about potential Indonesian aggression loomed large. Indonesian Navy’s interest in capturing the Nicobar Island was perceived as a credible threat by Indian authorities, exacerbated by corroborating reports from Pakistani sources.
To counter potential aggressive actions, the Indian Fleet was strategically deployed in the Bay of Bengal, serving as a deterrent against any adventurist moves by Indonesia in the region. These accounts shed light on the volatile geopolitical dynamics and underscore the strategic importance of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, particularly during the 1965 conflict, highlighting the intricate web of relationships and power dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region.
As India forges ahead with its ambitious development plans for Great Nicobar Island, it reaffirms its commitment to bolstering its maritime capabilities and asserting its influence in the Indian Ocean region. Against the backdrop of evolving geopolitical realities, India’s strategic moves in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands epitomize its proactive stance in safeguarding its maritime interests and shaping the contours of regional security and stability. (The author can be reached at shashankadas0007@gmail.com)
