The Indian Outpost

Diksha Bharti

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands (ANIs) form an archipelago, a series of islands positioned approximately 1,500 kilometres away from the Indian mainland. Nestled in the Bay of Bengal Sea, this cluster comprises 836 islands, with only 38 being inhabited. Notably, the Great Nicobar stands apart from Indonesia’s Aceh Province, adjacent to the Strait of Malacca, via the 6th-degree channel. Despite constituting a mere 0.2 per cent of India’s landmass, these islands command approximately 30 per cent of India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). However, the islands have endured a history of neglect from distant New Delhi, ostensibly in the name of conservation. The modern settlements on the islands, sparse and coastal, are extensions of the capital Port Blair, originally established as a penal colony for Indian freedom fighters during the British Raj.

The distinctive geographical positioning of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands has rendered them highly coveted territories for neighbouring nations such as India, China, Thailand, Indonesia and Myanmar. The Indian Ocean is one of the most strategic seas on the globe. So much so that Alfred Mahan, perhaps the United States’ (US) most influential strategic thinker, famously declared that “Whoever controls the Indian Ocean will dominate Asia.” This is because the Indian Ocean connects five continents: Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Oceania and Europe. To the east, through the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago, India controls the western gateway into the Malacca Strait, the main connection point between the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is also of particular importance in case of possible confrontation between the US and China.

In the unlikely event of an invasion of Taiwan, the Malacca Strait will be one of the first regions to see a flare up in tensions. In many ways, India’s foreign policy is embodied by the Andaman and Nicobar islands, which sits at the root of the Malacca dilemma. However, recognising the historical uncertainties associated with China’s actions, security measures are undergoing significant enhancement on the islands. This development unfolds against the backdrop of escalating Chinese endeavours to expand influence in the region, illustrated by their construction of military facilities on Myanmar’s Coco Islands, in close proximity to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

In 1962, the Indian Navy (IN) sounded an alert upon receiving reports of a Chinese submarine sighting, prompting the government to authorise the deployment of 150 sailors to establish a ‘naval garrison’ tasked with safeguarding the vast expanse of 836 islands spanning 450 miles of sea. Interestingly, historical records reveal that the British Chief of Staff had recommended retaining the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as a Crown possession owing to their strategic maritime location. However, British Prime Minister Clement Atlee, relieved when Indian leaders reluctantly accepted the Partition plan, ultimately disregarded the Chief of Staff’s advice and relinquished control of the islands to India.

In 1976, the naval garrison in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, augmented by army troops, underwent a transformation, evolving into the formidable Fortress Andaman and Nicobar. Subsequently, in 2001, following a security reassessment in the aftermath of the Kargil War, In