Bharat Expands Naval Presence: Establishes Bases on Agati and Minicoy Islands in Lakshadweep
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 17th Feb. The Bharatiya government has made the decision to construct new naval bases on the islands of Agati and Minicoy in Lakshadweep in order to enhance its maritime security in the Indian Ocean. The move is part of the government’s strategy to strengthen its maritime capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region. The upcoming naval facilities will aid in combating piracy and safeguarding vital maritime routes. Besides this, the government is also planning a new airstrip at Minicoy and an upgrade of the airstrip at Agati.
🚨 India has decided to build naval bases at Agatti and Minicoy Island in Lakshadweep, India.
Defence minister to inaugurate a naval base in Minicoy on March 4-5. pic.twitter.com/ATopeSAFS4
— Indian Tech & Infra (@IndianTechGuide) February 14, 2024
The Maldives and China will suffer a devastating blow.
The relations between Bharat and the Maldives have been tense for the past several months. Since Maldivian President Mohammed Muizzu won the elections, he has been closer to China, which has further increased tensions with India. Simultaneously, when Prime Minister Modi visited Lakshadweep recently and shared numerous photographs, the tension reached its apex. Now, Bharat’s decision to build naval bases on Agati and Minicoy Islands of Lakshadweep will be a huge blow not only to the Maldives, but also to China.
The inaugural ceremony of Naval Base INS Jatayu will be held on March 4 and 5.
Lakshadweep and Minicoy islands are located on the Nine Degree Channel, through which billions of dollars of commercial trade passes on the way to South-East Asia and North Asia. Minicoy Island lies at a distance of 524 kilometers from the Maldives. The Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, who is scheduled to visit the Minicoy Islands with naval officials on 4 and 5 March 2024, aboard the carrier task force INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant, which comprises approximately 15 warships, is scheduled to attend the inauguration of the naval base INS Jatayu alongside naval officials.
#India to build naval & air bases in Agatti and Minicoy Islands
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will be on board INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant task forces to inaugurate a naval base in Minicoy on March 4-5
After Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep, India has… pic.twitter.com/WEIY45zsbo
— Indo-Pacific News – Geo-Politics & Defense News (@IndoPac_Info) February 15, 2024
The joint commander conference plan has been developed
The Indian Navy intends to conduct the initial phase of the Joint Commanders’ Conference on Bharatiya aircraft carriers, with the two warships traversing from Goa to Karwar, to Minicoy Island, and finally to Kochi. The second phase of the Commanders Conference will take place on 6-7 March. The Modi government has decided to upgrade the airstrip in the Agati Islands with plans to build a new airstrip in the Minicoy Islands and deploy naval personnel at INS Jatayu. The decision is in line with the Modi government’s strategy of using its island territories to project power in the Indo-Pacific in support of the region’s maritime security.
Bharat is advancing its military capabilities by incorporating novel facilities
Given that Bharat is currently enhancing its military capabilities in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands through the establishment of new facilities in the Campbell Gulf of Great Nicobar, the upgrade of Lakshadweep and Minicoy Islands will not only safeguard commercial shipping but also the islands. The project will also enhance the infrastructure and promote tourism in the respective regions. The geographical location of Lakshadweep and Minicoy Islands, as well as Andaman and Nicobar Islands, enables Bharat to safeguard maritime trade routes in the Indian Ocean in the face of the rapidly expanding Chinese navy and their supporters.
Bharat’s dominance is evident
The principal commercial shipping route that connects the Suez Canal or Persian Gulf with Southeast Asia and beyond traverses the Nine Degree Channel between Lakshadweep and Minicoy and the Ten Degree Channel between Andaman and Nicobar Islands. In addition, Bharat dominates the trade route through Indonesia’s Sunda and Lombok straits. The carrier task force en route to the Minicoy Islands will be a sight to behold, as they will be accompanied by destroyers, frigates and submarines. This level of force projection has never been witnessed previously, and it will compel both the adversary and its supporters to pause before causing any disruption in the Indian Ocean region.
