The Great Nicobar Project represents one of India’s most ambitious maritime infrastructure initiatives, combining economic, security, and geostrategic objectives into a single long-term vision. Located at a pivotal point close to the Malacca Strait, the project aims to transform the Andaman and Nicobar Islands into a fulcrum of Indo-Pacific trade and naval power projection.


Strategic Importance

The 10 busiest container ports in the world channel about 60–70% of global container volumes, most of them dependent on shipping lanes through the Malacca Strait, which carries nearly $3.5 trillion worth of global trade annually.

Great Nicobar serves as the first major Indian outpost overlooking this choke-point, where about 90,000 ships transit every year. By developing a hub at Galathea Bay, India can insert itself directly into this critical artery of global commerce, mitigating dependence on foreign ports such as Singapore or Colombo.

Geopolitical Edge

China’s reported intelligence facilities on Myanmar’s Great Coco Island, just 50 km from Indian territory, underline New Delhi’s vulnerability. A strong base at Great Nicobar, complete with naval, air, and surveillance infrastructure, will provide India both deterrence and resilience against Beijing’s expanding maritime footprint. The project is particularly relevant in the context of Quad cooperation, Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) initiatives, and India’s desire to balance China’s Belt and Road-linked port investments.

Infrastructure Development

The Union Government’s ₹72,000 crore plan includes a major transhipment container port at Galathea Bay, a greenfield dual-use airport at Campbell Bay, and upgraded support facilities for the tri-service Andaman and Nicobar Command. Airstrip expansions at Kohassa and INS Baaz are designed to support fighter and surveillance aircraft operations. Parallel investments in jetties, logistics hubs, and shipyard facilities will strengthen operational readiness for the Indian Navy and Coast Guard while creating a world-class commercial shipping node.

Maritime Security Benefits

Given the density of shipping near the narrow Malacca Strait, collisions and piracy remain persistent threats. Past cases such as the 2011 Somali pirate attack on the MV Full City and 2021’s Zephyr Lumos–Galapagos collision highlight the need for safe stopover points.

A Nicobar port of call could serve as a critical rescue, repair, and enforcement node. Similarly, Car Nicobar’s Mus Port, located near the Ten Degree Channel, has untapped potential as a support hub for merchant shipping and naval units. Expanded facilities would improve India’s maritime domain awareness and crisis response capacity.

Tribal And Environmental Dimensions

Nicobar’s indigenous communities—including the Shompen and Jarawas—are protected by laws such as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Regulation, 1956, the Forest Rights Act, 2006, and PVTG-specific guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

While sensitivities around tribal land rights are critical, current regulations already safeguard their autonomy, suggesting infrastructure development can proceed without compromising cultural integrity. Stringent ecological safeguards will be essential, given that Great Nicobar lies in a fragile biodiversity hotspot and near India’s only active volcano at Barren Island.

Economic And Trade Potential

A fully developed Great Nicobar hub would reduce India’s dependence on foreign transhipment points, enabling Indian exporters to cut costs and transit times substantially.

The proximity to ports across Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka gives Great Nicobar the potential to act as a regional gateway. Besides trade, ancillary sectors such as tourism, logistics, and ship repair will add to the island economy, creating employment and local development opportunities in one of India’s most isolated regions.

Game-Changer For Indo-Pacific Strategy

Ultimately, the Great Nicobar Project symbolises India’s intent to convert geography into geo-economic advantage. By coupling modern commercial infrastructure with advanced military facilities, New Delhi can consolidate its role as a security provider in the Indo-Pacific.

With choke-point control, enhanced trade capacity, and deterrence against external bases near its maritime zone, India will possess a significantly augmented strategic posture, making Great Nicobar a true game-changer in India’s oceanic future.

IDN (With Agency Inputs)