India Expands Naval Presence with New Bases in Lakshadweep and Minicoy Islands

India is set to enhance its naval footprint by establishing naval bases in Lakshadweep’s Agatti and Minicoy Islands, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the region. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, accompanied by nearly 15 warships from the INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant carrier task forces, will inaugurate the naval base INS Jatayu on March 4-5. This strategic move aims to secure vital sea lanes of communication, as the Lakshadweep and Minicoy Islands sit on the nine-degree channel, a crucial route for billions of dollars worth of commercial trade to South-East Asia and North Asia.

The decision aligns with India’s broader maritime security strategy, utilizing island territories for power projection in the Indo-Pacific to safeguard maritime trade routes. The government plans to build a new airstrip at Minicoy Islands and upgrade the existing one at Agatti Islands, enabling the stationing of naval assets at INS Jatayu. This initiative is expected to not only enhance India’s naval capabilities but also contribute to the economic development of the island territories through infrastructure upgrades and increased tourism.

The geographical positioning of Lakshadweep and Minicoy Islands, coupled with efforts in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, positions India strategically to counter the challenges posed by the expanding Chinese Navy and its influence in the Indian Ocean while ensuring the protection of vital maritime trade routes.