Pramod Kumar Roy - Strategic Vision-2030: Security and Development of Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Chapters

Andaman & Nicobar Islands located over 1200 km to Indias East are natures bounty inherited by us during the process of our Independence. Located on the strategic Sea Lines of Communication connecting the Indian Ocean to the Asia-Pacific region and sitting at the entrance of the Malacca Straits, they provide India with strategic reach and could act as a launch pad in the geographical vicinity of South-East Asia. After prolonged neglect, the significance of these Islands is slowly dawning in Indian strategic calculations. Establishment of the first and the only operational Unified Andaman & Nicobar Command, controlling the assets of the three Services and the Coast Guard, is testimony to their growing strategic importance. However, there is much ground to be covered.

The islands have also faced a threat from unbridled and unplanned mismanagement of its ecological environment besides suffering a constant onslaught of illegal immigration, drug trafficking and marine poaching. It is therefore imperative that the natural strengths of these islands must remain the bedrock of developmental policies and strategies. The ecological richness and fragility, along with the strategic location of these islands demand adoption of a different approach towards their development instead of merely superimposing the mainlands developmental policies. Whilst fast-tracking the pace of development, we need to be cautious that we do not damage the ecological and cultural heritage of these Islands.

Air Marshal Roy, with his background as the former Commander-in-Chief of Andaman and Nicobar Command and the Commandant of National Defence College of India is well positioned to publish this research work. The maritime domain expertise of Commodore Aspi Cawasji with his extensive experience in the Indian Ocean Region and on ground knowledge of the islands has contributed tremendously enriching the quality of research work. In this context, I am pleased to note that their research has lucidly set out a way ahead and provided a set of policy recommendations for strategic development of these Islands.

The researchers Air Marshal PK Roy and his associate Commodore Aspi Cawasji have brought in their nuanced views on issues of geopolitical reality of the 21st century, the importance of these islands, and the contribution that these islands could make to the security of mainland India. The research initially provides an insight into the present global strategic environment focusing especially on the Indian Ocean Region, the Chinese String of Pearls strategy as well as Chinas Malacca Dilemma. It further brings out the strengths of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, their strategic significance and recommends a way ahead for their development. It finally suggests a set of comprehensive set of policy recommendations.

In what is viewed as the century of the Indo-Pacific region, strategic development of these islands could place India in a position to dominate the choke point of one of the busiest global sea lanes, or in worst case if need be, places it in an advantageous position to exercise the possibility to disrupt the primary energy security artery of China and the Indo-Pacific region.

Lt Gen P K Singh, PVSM, AVSM (Retd)

Director USI