Strategic importance of the Great Nicobar Island Project

The Government of India has undertaken a mega infrastructure project in the Great Nicobar Island worth Rs. 72,000 Crore which was initially being housed over 16,610 hectares of land, with an additional demand for another 100 acres for a Sea front in the Great Nicobar Island. It is critically important for defence, logistics, commerce, industries and eco-tourism. It is basically an upgradation of the Great Nicobar Island which is being implemented by Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation. From a Defence point of view, it is strategically important being in the vicinity of Strait of Malacca which is a Gateway for Far Eastern countries, including China and upto the Indian Ocean. Great Nicobar Island Project will help India become strategically strong and few Indians do not want it to happen. As an impact of the monetary assistance given by the unknown hands to couple of eco-NGOs, media houses and few politicians, they are opposing this project, thereby, putting a spoke in economic ascendancy and strategic development of India. Such inimical forces would likely oppose this project under garb/cover of environmental and societal shields.

Andaman and Nicobar Group of Islands are strategically important for Indian maritime security. The first requirement of maritime security is to keep the vast area around the islands under surveillance to ensure a strong deterrence against the misadventure by any external naval forces. The archipelago is strategically located near the main shipping route across the Indian Ocean to Southeast Asia. There is a dire necessity to keep the larger area around the islands under surveillance. The security of all the 836 islands in this complex whether inhabited or uninhabited, must be ensured, so that they cannot be occupied or used by entities involved in illegal activities. A strong resistance and deterrence must be ensured against any naval misadventures from the East. For this, strong presence of Army, Navy and Air Force is very important here. Infrastructure to boost Indian maritime security should perforce be built on the Southern Islands, which are strategically located near the main shipping routes across the Indian Ocean to Southeast Asia and the Great Nicobar Island meets that criteria.

INDI Alliance Conveyor/Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson, Sônia Gandhi, Congress President Rahul Gandhi, Congress Leader Jayram Ramesh, RJD  Secretary Tejasvi Yadav and DMK Chief Stalin, recently flagged concerns over the Great Nicobar Infrastructure Project conceived by NITI Aayog. All of them termed it as a “Planned misadventure and an ecological disaster”. Opposition Party Leaders headed by Mrs. Sonia Gandhi with their myopic vision, especially about military and defence matters, have started raising objections to this well thought out project for the Great Nicobar Islands. Opposition accused that the project would affect on biodiversity, coral reefs, Megapod birds, Leatherback turtles and afforestation. She being a champion of tribal welfare, is afraid of Indigenous Shompen and Nicobarese tribes being violated and their physical immunity in danger. Problems of environmental clearances, seismic and tsunami vulnerability, neglect of Tribal Council and National Green Tribunal verdicts are being highlighted. They are more concerned about Galathea Bay Wildlife Sanctuary located in the Great Nicobar Island which is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site than security and enhanced image of India in world forum. The security capabilities of Andaman and Nicobar Island need to be addressed separately. This must have no linkage with the developments contemplated for Great Nicobar Island. Since this project is important from defence and security point of view, it would be my endeavour to highlight aspects contradicting the term “Planned Misadventure”.

Mrs Sonia Gandhi has written a scathing article in The Hindu Newspaper, run by N Ram. This opposition is akin to Mumbai Metro Project or Narmada Dam Project. It is not a mere coincidence that article came out after meeting of Rahul Gandhi and Alexander Soros in Malaysia. She probably has overlooked the fact that, Great Nicobar Island Project is directly related to national security and strategic dominance in today’s geopolitical environment. Great Nicobar Island is a mere 90 nm from six degree channel in Strait of Malacca. 40% of world trade and maximum oil shipment of China passes through this Strait. By strengthening this Island, India can effectively monitor important sea lanes passing through the Indian Ocean. It would achieve decisive sea deterrence power, implementation of national security goals and economic ascendancy. After its completion, Indian Role in Indo-pacific region will change for good simultaneously ensuring our military prowess. Nicobar Group of Islands is approximately 1300 km from Sri Lanka and Great Nicobar Island, the southern tip of this island group, is just 144 km from Sumatra Port of Indonesia and is very vital for Indian maritime security.

Great Nicobar Island is the southernmost tip of India in Andaman and Nicobar archipelago which has over 600 islands. As this hilly island receives about 3500 mm Rainfall annually, it is covered with lush rainforests. It hosts endangered and endemic species such as Giant Leatherback turtles and Nicobar Megapode, Crake, crab eating Macaque, and Tree Shrew. Mangroves within and Pandon Forests along the coast dot this 910 sq. km Island.

The Great Nicobar Island Project includes:

1. An International Deep Sea Container Transshipment Terminal
2. A Greenfield International Airport
3. Two Greenfield Cities
4. A coastal Mass Rapid Transport System
5. A Free Trade Zone
6. International Cruise Terminal
7. A Ship Breaking Yard.

This upgradation/ expansion is required in view of rapidly changing geopolitical interest in this region. This island is located close to the Strait of Malacca, a main waterway connecting the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean. Fortification of this island is advantageous for India due to its strategic position enhancing Role of India in regional and global maritime economy as well during any conflict at the sea. Within the gambit of huge expansion and aggressive attitude of People’s Liberation Army Naval Wing (PLAN), Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean Region combined, are extremely important from the point of view of strategic and security interests of India. Strategic fortification and expansion of Great Nicobar Islands will strengthen maritime security and deterrence capabilities of India. Construction/ establishment of airfields, jetties, and surveillance facilities is direly required for the upgradation of the Indian military infrastructure.

The International Container Transshipment Terminal at Galathea Bay in Great Nicobar Island will not only boost Indian image as a major contributor in cargo transshipment by boosting economic activities in the region but would serve as the transshipment hub for the navies of the QUAD nations, for the Indian Navy and Amphibious Force of Indian Army or future Maritime Theatre Command. Once the shipping terminal is operational, it would join and control sea-lanes from the Suez Canal passing through the Indian Ocean and Indian warships stationed there would contribute towards Indian strategic aim and national security. Indian Navy has been operating from INS Baaz naval airfield and its renovation and expansion will boost up capabilities of the Indian Navy and Air Force to keep Andaman Sea, Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean Region under surveillance and operational strike range. The planned dual use of the international airport will serve both civilian and defence purposes and enable swift deployment of Navy and Air Force in the Andaman & Nicobar Command, India’s only tri-service command. This would enhance Indian surveillance reach across the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal strategic waters where foreign navies are increasingly active. The port and supporting infrastructure will improve Indian ability to track, monitor and control shipping lanes.

This project would provide an immense boost to the national security of India. Andaman Nicobar Island Group has one and only tri-service command. With upgradation of Great Nicobar Island, India will be able to double her capability to guard her sea frontiers and would equalize her contribution to QUAD as is being done by Japan, Australia and America, thereby effectively monitoring the IOR. IOR countries are mired in complex power dynamics arising from non-traditional security threats. America, China, India, UK, and Australia have a naval presence in the region. Over the years, several military alliances have been established to counter the ever-expanding Chinese influence in the area. America, India, Japan and Australia advocate for a free and open Indo-pacific zone. Their approach in the Indo-pacific zone is built upon a) Military collaboration b) Avoid alliances of containment c) Shun revolution in prevailing regional order and d) Recognize regional groupings as a crucial foundation of/for the future order. This is the main reason China will, tooth and nail, oppose this project. Great Nicobar island project would also reduce importance of China monitored Ports in Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Myanmar. The Great Nicobar Island Project would be a direct challenge to the Chinese String of Pearls strategy.

Green cities would house approximately four lac defence personnel with self-sustaining and self-sufficient gas and solar energy projects. The population, as per estimate, would be around six and half lacs by 2055 boosting International tourism and trade. As per the available information, per capita income in this region is much lower than per capita income of other union territories. Hence, tourism and creation of additional infrastructure will help in creation of job opportunities for the locals and aid the income generation in the region. The expansion would help in the creation of affordable state-of-the-art facilities for healthcare, quality education, air/sea/web infrastructure, telemedicine and tele-education and bring them at par with beneficiaries of Digital India initiative.

This region is vulnerable to tsunami as became evident in 2004.  A modern port and airport in Great Nicobar will enhance humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capabilities, enable India to act faster in disaster response across Southeast Asia and improve her image as a relief/security provider in the region. This project would facilitate, “Indian Look East Policy” and “Security and Growth For All In The Region Concept”(SAGAR). The Great Nicobar Island mega project is thus a high stakes confluence in considerations of national security, economic aspiration and environmental stewardship. As on date, Indo-pacific has become a pivotal region in the changing world order and stability will depend on how major powers manage competition and cooperation.