Abstract
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands (ANI) hold a significant place in the maritime geography of India. Lying close to the Malacca Strait, they give India access to the eastern Indian Ocean and parts of Southeast Asia. As India becomes more focused on the Indo-Pacific region, there has been more emphasis on the importance of these islands. The creation of the Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC), the development of airfields, naval bases, and strengthening of surveillance and supporting structures are some examples of India’s ambitions to operationalise the geographical strength of the islands. However, a favourable location is not enough. The remote location of the islands away from the mainland makes the supply of goods, weapons and troops complicated. In fact, their dispersed geography has led to a lack of established logistics and weak connectivity.
Keywords
Andaman and Nicobar Islands; Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC); Maritime Security; Operational Capability; Strategic Infrastructure; Indo-Pacific; Malacca Strait.
