Development of Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Let’s begin by imagining ANI—not as a single island, but as a scattered necklace of emeralds in the southeastern part of the Bay of Bengal. Each “bead” in this necklace—whether big or small, inhabited or untouched—is a crucial part of India’s strategic, ecological, and developmental vision.
📍 Basic Geography and Settlement Pattern
- Total number of islands: 572 (including islets and rocky cliffs).
- Only 38 islands are inhabited, rest are either forest-covered, ecologically fragile, or strategically sensitive.
- Spread across an area of 8,249 sq. km, but surprisingly only 16.64 sq. km is urban—the rest is classified as rural.
- The tribal-inhabited areas—like those of Jarwas, Sentinelese, Great Andamanese—are designated as tribal reserve areas, comprising about 34% of forest area.
- Total population: Just 3.56 lakh—so imagine, a vast space with scattered population and delicate balance between development and conservation.
More about Geography of ANI you can refer Indian Geography section.
🚫 Existing Problems and Vulnerabilities
- The islands are already facing encroachments—on both forest lands and revenue lands—threatening the ecological balance.
- The primary sector (like agriculture and fishing) is stagnant.
- Industrial activity is declining, meaning the only major employer is the government sector—a risky situation for balanced economic growth.
🧭 Vision for Development – A Strengths-Based Approach
Any development plan here must build upon the existing strengths, not force unsuitable industrial models.
Key Strengths of ANI:
- High literacy and good health indicators compared to national averages.
- Rich natural resource base—marine, forest, agricultural.
- Tremendous potential in:
- Tourism
- Exports of fishery products, medicinal plants, spices, coconut, and horticulture items.
🌾 Agriculture in ANI – Rethinking the Strategy
Places like South Andaman, Swaraj Dweep (Havelock), and Shaheed Dweep (Neil Island) practice agriculture.
Key Crops:
- Coconut, Areca nut, and vegetables like tomato, brinjal, bitter gourd, etc.
Proposed Strategy:
A tiered agriculture model is recommended:
| Level | Focus |
|---|---|
| Subsistence | Food grains (just enough for local needs) |
| Semi-commercial | Vegetables, oilseeds, perishables |
| Commercial | Coconut, areca nut, medicinal plants, orchids |
What’s Needed:
- High-quality seeds
- Modern techniques
- Irrigation facilities
- Access to credit and markets
- Transport infrastructure
- Farmer training
- Integrated pest management
🏭 Industrial Development – Focus on Scale and Suitability
Large-scale industries are not viable due to:
- Ecological fragility
- Lack of connectivity
- Resource limitations
Thus, ANI relies on Small Scale Industries (SSI) such as:
- Handicrafts, cane and bamboo, readymade garments
- Paints and varnishes, mini flour mills, soft drink units
🛠️ Future focus: SSI based on fishery, agro-horticulture, and eco-friendly crafts.
🌊 Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) – A Hidden Opportunity
ANI controls about 0.6 million sq. km of EEZ, which is:
🟢 30% of India’s entire EEZ
This zone is rich in fisheries and marine life. Hence, aquaculture is being developed with:
- Mud crab and lobster fattening
- Freshwater shrimp farming
- Freshwater fish production
🔬 Scientific Research & Marine Biotechnology
The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) has made ANI a hub of oceanic research.
Key initiatives:
- Research on marine-derived drugs
- Pollution monitoring in the crucial 10-degree channel (between Andaman & Nicobar)
- Established the Andaman Nicobar Centre for Ocean Science and Technology (ANCOST) at Port Blair
- Formed self-help groups (SHGs) like ‘Aqua Crab Farming SHG’ in Laxmipur village
This shows a model of science + community-based livelihood development.
🌴 Tourism – Nature’s Revenue Generator
Tourism is not just an industry here—it’s a holistic experience of untouched nature:
- Tropical evergreen forests
- Silver-sand beaches
- Mangrove-lined creeks
- Coral reefs and rare marine species
These make ANI a potential global eco-tourism hotspot.
But again, the emphasis should be on sustainable tourism—not mass tourism that destroys what it sells.
⚓ Andaman and Nicobar Islands: India’s Eastern Anchor in a Changing Indo-Pacific
Let’s start by reframing our imagination: If India is a subcontinental body, then Andaman and Nicobar Islands (ANI) are its eastern outstretched hand—extending deep into the Indian Ocean and reaching toward Southeast Asia.
But this hand, despite its strategic power, was for long left idle.
India’s Historical Naval Focus – The Coastline Bias
- India inherited a strong navy from the British and enjoyed a relatively peaceful maritime environment post-independence.
- Consequently, the naval priorities remained defensive—focused on protecting the mainland coastline.
- ANI, being over 1200 km from the mainland, remained neglected—geographically distant and politically peripheral.
But times change.
The Indo-Pacific in Flux – Why ANI Now Matters More Than Ever
- After the Cold War, the Indian Ocean was calm, but not anymore.
- The emergence of China and its aggressive maritime outreach—through projects like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and string of pearls strategy—have reshaped India’s strategic calculus.
- Today, the Indian Ocean is re-emerging as a strategic theatre in the Indo-Pacific region.
This is where ANI becomes not just relevant, but crucial.
Geostrategic Location – Near the Malacca Strait
- ANI is critically located near the Malacca Strait, one of the busiest and most vital Sea Lanes of Communication (SLOCs) in the world.
- This gives India a natural vantage point—a chokepoint that can control maritime flow between the Western Pacific and the Indian Ocean.
So ANI is like a watchtower placed exactly where two oceans meet.
From Offense to Awareness – Evolving Strategic Role
- While once imagined as a launchpad for offensive naval operations, the real strength of ANI today lies in surveillance—what we now call Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA).
- Through ANI, India can:
- Monitor movement of vessels.
- Track submarine routes.
- Observe Chinese naval activity, especially their entry into the Indian Ocean through Malacca.
- Respond quickly using a coherent surveillance mechanism.
Strategic Use in History – From Cholas to the Japanese
ANI’s strategic value is not new. Great powers have used it before:
(a) Chola Empire (Rajendra Chola I)
- The Cholas had a powerful navy and first tapped ANI’s potential.
- After conquering Sri Lanka, they used ANI to launch expeditions to Southeast Asia—especially attacking ports of the Srivijaya empire (modern Indonesia).
(b) British Empire
- Used ANI to secure the Bay of Bengal, project power across the Indian Ocean, and protect colonial interests.
(c) Japanese Empire (World War II)
- Captured ANI from the British.
- Used the islands to:
- Attack Burma and Northeast India.
- Expand their footprint in the Indian Ocean region.
Modern-Day Strategic Advantages for India
- Surveillance Power: ANI enables India to scan the Malacca Strait—a choke point where most Chinese commercial and naval ships pass.
- Extended Naval Reach: It also gives India eyes on alternate submarine routes:
- Sunda Strait
- Lombok Strait
- Ombai Strait
These are deeper and more navigable for sub-surface vessels (submarines), especially when Malacca becomes too shallow or congested.
Why This Matters – Strategic Rebalancing
Let’s simplify:
| Strategic Factor | ANI’s Advantage |
|---|---|
| Surveillance & Monitoring | Close watch on Chinese movement in Indian Ocean |
| Maritime Connectivity | Links the Indian Ocean to Southeast Asia |
| Naval Operations | Base for extended reach to Pacific routes |
| Historical Use | Validated by Cholas, British, and Japanese |
| Strategic Depth | Protects India’s eastern maritime boundary |
🧭 Conclusion: From Margins to Centre
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are no longer a distant outpost—they are becoming the nerve centre of India’s maritime strategy in the Indo-Pacific.
They offer strategic depth, geopolitical leverage, and the power to shape maritime balance—not just for India, but for the entire region.