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Thread: The Strategic Significance of Andaman Islands

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[quote=ZOEY,249754]The Andamans' natural harbours and coral reefs offer perfect locations for ships and submarines.

It is a Cold War mentality. India is sensitive about its military installations in the Andamans
Suba Chandran,
defence analyst

Despite opposition from Pakistan, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands became part of India when the British left the subcontinent over five decades ago.

But the Andamans remained away from public glare as the government developed the mainland.

The strategic importance of the islands was realised during India's 1971 war with Pakistan, when the Indian navy used them as a base to blockade and attack the naval bases and ships of what was then east Pakistan, now Bangladesh.

In the following years, more Indian naval assets were added and air bases were built.

When the islands developed, more people from mainland India settled there.

Integrated command

But while India realised the islands' strategic importance, defence cuts and unfavourable economic conditions in the early 1990s dogged military development.

Air force base on Car Nicobar
The air base on Car Nicobar is the only clear military damage

But in the late 1990s, the then-ruling Bharatiya Janata Party-led coalition diverted more resources to bolster India's military capability.

In 2001, India established an Integrated Services Command of army, navy, air force and coast guard in the Andamans.

With the new set up, India aims to control maritime trade activities in the region and counter sea-borne terrorism and piracy.
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