This brief contends that Andaman and Nicobar Islands are poised to serve as India’s strategic gateway to Southeast Asia. [2] Panda, “The Andaman and Nicobar Islands in India’s Act East Policy: A Maritime Pivot to the Indo‑Pacific,” Indian Foreign Affairs Journal 16, no. [3] Authors Construct on image: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/62/Map_of_Nicobar_and_Andaman_Islands-en_without_Port_Blair.svg[4] I. P. Mathur, History of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, 1756–1966 (New Delhi: Sterling Publishers, 1968). [7] Air Marshal Saju Balakrishnan, “Arc of Power: India’s Andaman & Nicobar Command,” episode 3, May 23, 2025, StratNews Global, https://www.stratnewsglobal.com. II: Andaman & Nicobar Islands, https://fsi.nic.in/isfr2019/isfr-fsi-vol2.pdf[38] Colonel Ajai Shukla (retd), “A Big Stick for India Navy,” Broadsword, August 22, 2025, https://www.ajaishukla.com/2021/11/a-big-stick-for-indian-navy.html.

Source: The Hindu January 18, 2026 22:51 UTC