Strategic importance of Andaman and Nicobar Islands

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Context

• The strategic Andaman and Nicobar Islands are in the middle of a major military infrastructure upgrade.

Need for infrastructure upgrade

• To facilitate deployment of additional military forces, and facilities for larger and more warships, aircraft, missile batteries and troops.
• To counter the ongoing large-scale construction activities come amid growing Chinese attempts to expand its influence in the region, which includes the construction of a military facility at Myanmar’s Coco Islands lying 55 km north of A&N Islands.
• Increasing the length of an airstrip at a vital naval air station to enable landing of bigger aircraft like P8Is and fighter jets. Its jetty is also being expanded for use by larger ships.
• Constructing a road from the north of the islands to Port Blair in the south is being improved for more traffic.
• Upgrading an IAF station to hold fighter squadrons, and for longer durations.
• To construct a container transhipment terminal alongside associated infrastructure to support traffic and operations.

Important Infrastructures established in ANI recently established

• Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan inaugurated a modern Hangar and Dispersal system at INS Utkrosh in Port Blair.
• Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar inaugurated a Precision Approach Radar (PAR) at INS Utkrosh to enable accurate horizontal and vertical guidance to land an aircraft safely in low visibility conditions as well as the Integrated Underwater Harbour Defence and Surveillance System.
• Admiral Kumar had also inaugurated the Naval Communication Network (NCN) Centres at INS Kohassa, INS Baaz and INS Kardi, designed to further augment the communication and operational capability of the ANC.
• The Ministry of Tourism is developing the Coastal Circuit (Long Island-Ross Smith Island- Neil Island- Havelock Island- Baratang Island-Port Blair) in Andaman & Nicobar under the Coastal thematic circuit of Swadesh Darshan Scheme for development of island tourism in the country.

Strategic importance of The Andaman and Nicobar Islands

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are of great strategic importance since they straddle one of the busiest sea lanes in the world and give India the reach to monitor the flow of traffic from the South China Sea (Pacific Ocean) to the Andaman Sea (Indian Ocean) via the Strait of Malacca that’s key to trade and oil shipments in the Indo-Pacific.

• Net security provider:
  • India can leverage its position in these islands to protect its own interests and portray its image as the ‘net security provider’ in the region.
• Connection with Southeast Asia:
  • With about 30 percent of India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), A&N Islands connect South Asia with Southeast Asia.
  • The northernmost point of this archipelago is a mere 22 nautical miles from Myanmar and the southernmost point, Indira Point, is only 90 nautical miles from Indonesia.
• Importance of Indo-Pacific:
  • The A&N Islands are at the intersection of the Indian Ocean, the South China Sea, and the Pacific Ocean. therefore it acts as an important fulcrum of the strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific.
• Japan’s Overseas Development Assistance:
  • Japan approved a USD 265 crore grant aid for Andaman and Nicobar Islands development projects in 2021.
• NITI Aayog’s Project for Great Nicobar:
  • It includes an international container transhipment terminal, an airport, a power plant, and a township.
• Maintaining the regional balance:
  • From these islands, India can create a maritime exclusion zone in the event of a conflict with China. Through Andaman and Nicobar Islands India can counter the presence of People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) in the Indian Ocean.
  • The ability to monitor Chinese maritime activity in the Indian Ocean Region would allow India to acquire valuable information about the nature of Chinese operations in the IOR, such as operational patterns.

About A&N Islands ●It comprises two island groups, the Andaman Islands (partly) and the Nicobar Islands, separated by the 150 km wide Ten Degree Channel (on the 10°N parallel). ●The island chains are a submerged extension of the Arakan Mountains. ●The Andaman Islands are divided into three main islands i.e. North, Middle, and South. ●Port Blair, the capital of Andaman Nicobar Islands lies in South Andaman. ●Duncan passage separates Little Andaman from South Andaman. ●The Coco Strait is between the North Andaman islands and the Coco Islands of Myanmar. ●The Barren and Narcondam Islands North of Port Blair – are the only active volcanoes in India. ●Saddle peak (737 m) in North Andaman is the highest peak. ●Ritchie’s Archipelago is a cluster of smaller islands that lie 20 km east of Great Andaman and Neil Island and Havelock Island are in Ritchie’s Archipelago. ●Ross Island in South Andaman has been renamed as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep, Neil Island as Shaheed Dweep, and Havelock Island as Swaraj Dweep.

Conclusion

• The enhanced infrastructure is aimed to facilitate deployment of additional military forces, and facilities for larger and more warships, aircraft, missile batteries and troops.
• The ongoing large-scale construction activities come amid growing Chinese attempts to expand its influence in the region, which includes the construction of a military facility at Myanmar’s Coco Islands lying 55 km north of A&N Islands.
• India should make Andaman and Nicobar Islands an important element of its “Act East Policy” and “Neighborhood First” initiative.

Source

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/strategic-military-infra-upgrade-in-the-works-for-andaman-nicobar-islands-9261093/

PRACTICE QUESTION Q. "Discuss the strategic significance of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the context of India's geopolitical and security interests. Analyse the key factors that contribute to their importance and how they influence India's maritime policies and regional engagement."(250 words)