How the Great Nicobar project benefits India The Statesman 05May 2026
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How the Great Nicobar project benefits India The Statesman 05
May 2026
Since the much-hyped visit of the leader of the opposition, Rahul Gandhi, to Andaman and Nicobar, in the midst of multiple state elections, protesting against the Great Nicobar project, the same has gained traction, with members of his party backed by few environmentalists, western activists, leftist online journals and influencers raising similar concerns. Chinese backed global handles are singing the same objection tunes. The project was mooted in 2021 and has begun gaining speed as all clearances to commence the same are almost complete.
The Chairperson of the Congress, Sonia Gandhi, wrote an op-ed against the project in Sept last year. All objections including her article, have tilted towards ecological damage, delicate bio-density and displacement of two tribal communities, Nicobarese and Shompen, who number around 200. None criticizing the project has offered any viable alternative.
With all singing the same tune, in perfect harmony, it sends a message that these protests and objections are designed and coordinated by China, which is most affected and desperate to stall it. There has been no comparison of perceived ecological damage versus strategic benefits, which could accrue once the project is completed.
If only ecological considerations were paramount, India constructing roads and tunnels in ecologically sensitive border regions of Ladakh and Arunachal, would have faced protests from same political elements and their activists. The only one to object to construction along the borders, on ecological grounds, was Sonam Wangchuk, whose concerns were limited to Ladakh. The reason why it did not happen is because border infrastructure does not have the same global impact, including on China, as the Great Nicobar project.
India, for decades, concentrated on its land borders, strengthening its defences against both China and Pakistan, ignoring exploiting its geography to gain dominance in other domains. The Indian navy was also growing steadily and is now a dominant power in the Indian Ocean. The world has witnessed how Iran exploited its geography to contain oil trade through Hormuz, throwing the global economy into doldrums.
The Nicobar project, once completed, would have the same impact and enhance India’s ability to counter its threats. The project envisages the construction of an international container transhipment terminal, a dual use airport, power infrastructure and a planned township at Galathea Bay. It would also be a naval base.
The projects military intent is to enhance ability of the armed forces to monitor international shipping lanes, improve response time and reduce commercial dependence on foreign transhipment hubs. The project is expected to cost between Rs 80,000 to 1 Lakh Crores. There is already a naval air station in the region, INS Baaz, designed for maritime vigilance, which would become part of the project.
Great Nicobar Islands straddle three channels, Duncan’s Passage, Ten-degree and Six-degree Channels. The Six-degree channel is 163 Kms wide and separates the island from Indonesia’s Aceh province. It is the route taken by large container ships and tankers to enter the Malacca straits, which is just about 2.5 kms wide at its narrowest point. For China, this waterway is dubbed as the ‘Malacca Dilemma’ as 70% of its oil transits this route, open to interdiction by India, in case of hostilities. The islands also oversee alternate but difficult navigational routes of Sunda and Lombok Straits. 60% of India’s seaborne trade transits through Malacca straits.
The Islands are an ideal location for establishing a commercial transhipment hub as almost all merchant ships sail through the region. It is equidistant from Colombo, Singapore and Klang in Malaysia, which currently handle over 70% of India’s transhipment cargo. Once this hub is established, it will bring an immense saving to the nation. What is yet to be mentioned is that with its development, exploration for oil and gas in its vicinity will be undertaken.
To overcome the Malacca dilemma, China constructed ports and pipelines across Asia including in Pakistan and Malaysia. However, it still needs the straits and an Indian base at its mouth is a major threat. Militarily the project will be a strong counter to the Chinese string of pearls as it would dominate routes taken by most of their shipping.
For ASEAN nations, the presence of India at the mouth of Malacca Straits is a benefit. During the visit of their Prime Minister, Lawrence Wong, to India, in Sept 2025, Singapore supported India’s interest in joining the Malacca Strait patrol to enhance maritime security. The joint statement mentioned, ‘Singapore acknowledges with appreciation India’s interest in the Malacca Straits Patrol.’
Multiple government agencies have studied the project and given approval, including replanting trees being felled for the project. All precautions are being taken to ensure that the indigenous population and biodiversity are not impacted. A government press note mentioned, ‘Tribal welfare remains central, with no displacement proposed for Shompen and Nicobarese communities and a net increase in notified tribal reserve area through re-notification measures.’
For India, these islands are an unsinkable aircraft carrier enabling projection of power deep into the Indian ocean. This is similar to China militarizing its islands in the South China Sea by constructing 3000-meter runways, hardened hangers, missile shelters and advanced radar systems. Hence, China can have no objections to what India does on its own islands, despite it being a threat to their shipping. However, it can activate its paid agents to protest against the project.
Interestingly, protests are largely on grounds of ecology and threat to the island’s indigenous population without offering any alternate solution. The intent is clearly stalling it as with the Vedanta aluminium project. Those opposing the project have termed it as a scam involving the Adani group, even before the government has nominated any company for its construction. The project will also be objected to in parliament as recent comments by leaders of the opposition and their paid influencers have failed to evoke any response from the government. It is unlikely that the government would heed to their demands.
The project construction will spread over 30 years. This is just the start. As it progresses, expect more protests and objections. In case during this period there is a change in government, there is a strong possibility that the project, essential for India’s defence and economic security, could well come to a standstill, despite vast amounts having been sunk. The stalling would not be out of ecological or tribal considerations but possibly to reduce military impact the project could have on India’s adversaries. The construction therefore needs to be speeded up.
About the Author
Maj Gen Harsha Kakkar
Retired Major General Indian Army