In 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the island for the first time, a year after which a special military infrastructure development plan was made here.
Image Credit source: Social Media
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, located at the confluence of the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea in the southeast of India, have their own strategic importance. It is very important in terms of security and competition from neighboring countries like China. And this is the reason why India is developing its naval base here. But China is upset with this move of India. China is fuming with this step of India.
Spread over 450 miles of sea area with a total of 24 ports, this island holds special importance in the Indian Ocean region. The northernmost point of the island chain is only 22 nautical miles from Myanmar, while the southernmost point is only 90 nautical miles from Indonesia.
Intent to develop the islands militarily
Presently work is going on in this area for seven Air Force and Navy bases. In the year 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the island for the first time, a year after which a special military infrastructure development plan was made here.
Here the runway of the naval air stations INS Kohasa at Shibpur and INS Baz at Campbell Bay is being expanded. Once the runway is operational, the Indian Navy will be able to operate its P-8I maritime surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft.
Its formation will help in deploying Indian soldiers, additional warships as well as drones here.
Why is China worried?
This step of India can cause a big hindrance in the hydrocarbon supply of China. Its indirect aim is also to harm China’s economy. Significantly, China had tried to use the waters of Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Maldives and Hormuz to trouble India, but India did not allow that plan to be fulfilled.
To neutralize China’s hold on the Gwadar port in Pakistan, India sealed the Chabahar port in Iran, which acts as a counterbalance in the region. These ports together allow India to monitor the Strait of Hormuz – the busiest sea route for the transportation of oil in the world.
Why India needs to be careful?
If India militarises the Andaman Islands, it will have to be careful with its neighbor China. The Great Coco Island and Little Coco Island – Geographically an important part of the Andaman Islands, which is in the middle of the waterway route. Through which China enters the waters of Malacca.
understand the mistake of history
During the tenure of former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, the ownership of the islands went to Burma, modern Myanmar, but at present it is claimed by China. According to the information, China has also used a base here to spy on DRDO’s missile programs.
Development of Greater Nicobar Islands
The government is developing it under the project ‘Holistic Development of Great Nicobar Islands in Andaman and Nicobar Islands’. The project envisaged by India’s leading think tank NITI Aayog seeks to build an International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT), a greenfield international airport, a township and a 450-MVA GS and power plant.
