India has revealed its intention to establish a new naval base off the southwest coast of the country, in close proximity to the Maldives, amidst escalating tensions between New Delhi and the island nation. The Indian Navy announced on Saturday its plans to construct a base named INS Jatayu on Minicoy, the southernmost island within the Lakshadweep archipelago.
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Situated approximately 130 kilometers (80 miles) north of the Maldives, India’s Lakshadweep islands will serve as the location for this strategic facility. A comprehensive plan detailing the project is set to be released on Wednesday.
Indian Navy’s Strategic Initiative: Enhancing Operational Reach
“The base will enhance operational reach and facilitate the Indian Naval base operational effort towards anti-piracy and anti-narcotics operations in Western Arabian Sea. It will also augment Indian Navy’s capability as the first responder in the region and augment connectivity with the mainland,” the navy statement said.The Indian Navy said the base was part of a policy to “incrementally augment security infrastructure at the strategically important” islands.
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Growing Strain: Recent Developments in India-Maldives Relations
Tensions between India and Maldives have grown since Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu came to power last year.After taking power, Muizzu visited China ahead of India, and said Maldives’ small size is not a license for anyone to bully the country, in an apparent response to calls on Indian social media for tourists to boycott Maldives after three Maldives deputy ministers made derogatory posts about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
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