The Indian Navy on Wednesday, commissioned its latest naval base, “INS Jatayu,” situated in Minicoy within the Lakshadweep islands, approximately 258 km away from the Maldives. This establishment aims to enhance India’s strategic presence in the Arabian Sea, fostering increased capacity, operational reach, and sustained activities in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Establishing a Naval Base in Minicoy aims to enhance connectivity with the mainland, emphasising the comprehensive development of the islands. INS Jatayu will operate under the operational control of the Naval Officer in Charge, Lakshadweep, Southern Naval Command, according to the Indian Navy.
The new naval base was commissioned days after the joint inauguration of an airstrip and a jetty that India built on the Mauritian island of Agaléga off the coast of Africa in the western Indian Ocean by Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Pravind Jugnauth of Mauritius. It will enhance the operational reach of the Navy in the Indian Ocean, a vital strategic imperative as China seeks to increase its footprint in the region.
INS Jatayu was commissioned in the presence of Admiral R Hari Kumar, the Chief of Naval Staff, marking the second naval base in Lakshadweep after INS Dweeprakshak in Kavaratti was commissioned in 2012. Located 215 nautical miles southwest of Kochi, Minicoy is the southernmost island in the Lakshadweep archipelago. On completion of the commissioning ceremony, the Maritime Operations Center at Minicoy was also inaugurated.
INS Jatayu Naval Base
Addressing a gathering on the occasion, the Chief of Naval Staff said the unit was named after Jatayu – the mythical creature in the epic Ramayana who tried to stop the abduction of Sita. “In the Ramayana, Jatayu was the ‘first responder’, trying to stop the abduction of Sita ji, even to the peril of his own life, exemplifying service before self. So the naming of this unit as Jatayu is an apt recognition of this spirit of providing security surveillance and selfless service,” said Admiral Kumar.
“Similarly, we expect that this unit will provide situational awareness to the Indian Navy in maintaining good maritime domain awareness of the entire region. INS Baaz to the east in the Andamans and now the INS Jatayu in the west will serve as eyes and ears to the Navy to safeguard our national interest,” he said.
The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) informed the land allocation for establishing an Indian Air Force radar base in Lakshadweep. Situated along a crucial trade route, Minicoy Island’s strategic significance underscores the importance of a base equipped with enhanced surveillance capabilities for the nation. Indian Navy sources revealed that the strategic location, particularly that of Minicoy, serves as a pivotal site for gathering information on shipping movements. It will also significantly boost anti-piracy and anti-narcotic operations.
Strategic Importance of INS Jatayu
Opening Ceremony
The Lakshadweep Islands form a series of coral islands in the Indian Ocean, situated between the Maldives to the south and the Chagos archipelago further south of the equator. Due to their placement in the Indian Ocean, the Lakshadweep Islands hold significant strategic value for India. According to the Indian Navy, establishing an independent naval unit with the necessary infrastructure and resources in the region will augment its overall operational capacity on the islands. This base establishment aligns with the government’s emphasis on the comprehensive development of the islands.
With the commissioning of INS Jatayu, the Indian Navy is set to bolster its presence on the western seaboard. The planned airfield is designed to facilitate operations for various aircraft types, encompassing P8I maritime reconnaissance aircraft and fighter jets. This expansion is poised to enhance the Navy’s reach and operational surveillance capabilities, a strategic move coinciding with India’s efforts to counter the escalating Chinese influence in the Indian Ocean Region. The timing of this development is particularly crucial as India’s relations with the Maldives have faced challenges since the election of pro-China President Mohamed Muizzu.
Ravi Shankar
