Strategic Military Infrastructure Upgrade in Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Strategic Military Infrastructure Upgrade in Andaman & Nicobar Islands

GS-3: Infrastructure Development

(IAS/UPPCS)

Relevant for Prelims:

About Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Relevant for Mains:

About Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Geo-Strategic Importance, Major Challenges and Issues, Conclusion.

12/04/2024

Source: Indian Express

Why in news:

Recently, the Government of India has upgraded a major military infrastructure in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to a robust surveillance infrastructure with advanced airfields.

About Andaman and Nicobar Islands:

  • Location: Andaman and Nicobar Islands is a union territory of India. It is located in the Indian Ocean, south of the Bay of Bengal.
  • This island group is made up of about 572 small and big islands, out of which people live on about 31 islands. Its capital is Port Blair.
  • Extent: These islands form an arched chain (convex in the west) and extend from 6° 45' N to 13° 41' N and from 92° 12' E to 93° 57' E.
  • Administration: In this union territory, the Lieutenant Governor and Administrator is the head. At present, Admiral DK Joshi (Lieutenant Governor) is holding the post of Lieutenant Governor and Administrator.

Geo-strategic importance of Andaman and Nicobar Islands:

  • The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are of utmost strategic importance to India, serving as a vital point for trade, commerce and strategic cooperation.
  • The strategic location of these islands enables India to play a key role in addressing disaster situations and maritime security threats in the region.
  • By making these islands its base, India, along with other countries, can become a net security provider for the region and the sea lines of communication (SLOC).
  • These islands provide India with a commanding position on the vital traffic moving between the Andaman Sea (Indian Ocean) and the South China Sea (Pacific Ocean) through the Strait of Malacca.
  • Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) is the first and only tri-service command in the islands and was established in 2001.

Economic Potential:

  • The Andaman and Nicobar Islands account for only 0.2% of India's landmass, but account for 30% of the country's 200-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
  • The blue economy of this island will contribute significantly to the development of India's economy.

Strategic Military Infrastructure Upgrade:

  • Enhanced air power: Airstrips are being expanded to handle larger aircraft such as P8I maritime patrol aircraft and fighter jets, giving India greater reach for surveillance and rapid deployment capabilities. The plan for a permanent fighter squadron base signals India's commitment to air dominance in the surrounding region.
  • Additional logistics and storage facilities: Improved infrastructure aims to provide facilities for deployment of additional military forces, larger and more warships, aircraft, missile batteries and troops.
  • It includes plans to extend the runway by approximately 3,000 meters and create infrastructure to maintain the assets.
  • Naval Expansion: Piers in the islands are being modernized to accommodate larger warships, provide vital logistics support and provide potential power in the vital sea lanes of the region.
  • Logistics Backbone: Storage facilities for military supplies and equipment are being expanded, promising operational readiness and reducing response times in emergencies.
  • Military Mobility: The islands' road network, particularly North-South connections, is being significantly improved to allow rapid movement of assets and troops.
  • Strong surveillance infrastructure: A robust surveillance system is being developed, providing India with comprehensive situational awareness and a decisive edge in detecting and responding to maritime threats.
  • Large-scale construction activities are underway amid growing Chinese efforts to expand its influence in the region, including the construction of a military facility in Myanmar's Coco Islands, located 55 km north of the archipelago.

Major Challenges and Issues:

Ecological impact of development projects:

  • Developmental projects pose a serious threat to the fragile ecosystem of the islands and the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) living in these islands.

Protection of indigenous tribes:

  • Protecting the indigenous tribes, preserving the fragile ecology, providing basic amenities like drinking water and preventing illegal migration and encroachment are some of the main challenges faced by the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Infrastructure and Industrialization Challenges:

  • These islands face infrastructure challenges, including slow and disrupted internet speeds, transportation constraints, lack of skilled manpower, low population density, dispersion of population across scattered islands, lack of markets and shortage of raw materials.

Sensitivity to climate change:

  • These island unique ecosystems are vulnerable to climate change events and anthropogenic development.
  • Key sectors such as forests and biodiversity, coastal ecosystems and marine resources, agriculture and animal husbandry, fisheries, water resources and energy are vulnerable to climate change.

Way forward:

  • The upgradation of strategic military infrastructure in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is an important step towards strengthening India's defense capabilities and maintaining a strong presence in the region.
  • All these strategic steps are a main component of India's Act East policy. The objectives of which are to promote economic cooperation, cultural ties and develop strategic relations with the countries of the Asia-Pacific region through continuous engagement at bilateral, regional and multilateral levels.
  • These islands should be developed responsibly taking into account their unique ecology and the need to protect the indigenous population.

Conclusion:

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a strategically important archipelago in the Bay of Bengal, is witnessing a major change as India is increasing its military presence in the region.

This infrastructure upgrade is a direct response to changing geopolitical dynamics and serves to safeguard India's interests within the dynamic Indo-Pacific.

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Main Exam Questions:

The planned modernization of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands reflects geo-strategic significance for India. Discuss.