Andaman and Nicobar Islands: A Geo-political and Strategic Perspective

The Geo-politics and strategic studies remain relevant in the changing world scenario, irrespective of the fact whether there is war or peace.  The Geo-politics will remain relevant as long as there is multi-state system, which includes weak as well as powerful states.  There is increasing fragmentation and marginalisation of the countries of the south Asia in the Asian power structure.  There is an imperative need to safeguard the energy interests and voicing the concerns of the India in the era of globalization particularly the presence of Sea Tigers, piraes, smugglers, gunrunners and Muslim fundamentalists in the region and posing threat to India’s sovereignty.  This book critically examines the relevance of the geographical location of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands near to Malacca strait gives ample scope for free port, transshipment port, ship repair base and offshore bunkering facility for international Sea Lanes (ISLs).  To create potentially a very strong maritime power and felicitator in the region and to eliminate the sea piracy, drug trafficking and gunrunners in the region, the Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) formed recently, playing decisive role and promoting cooperation among littoral countries of Bay of Bengal.  India has embarked on a period of radical changes in its economic politics.  In this context this volume will be useful for the strategic analysts and foreign policy planners for securing better tomorrow in the context of “Look East” policy.  Indeed the Islands have possessed enormous geo-political and strategic importance due to close proximity with ASEAN and BIMSTEC countries.  This volume is a significant contribution to the existing literature on geo-politics and strategic studies.