The Andaman & Nicobar Command (ANC), a tri-service command, stands at the heart of India’s maritime strategy, serving as a crucial defence outpost in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Positioned near the Strait of Malacca, one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes, ANC plays a pivotal role in monitoring Chinese naval movements, securing trade routes, and strengthening India’s power projection. This week’s Defence Mantra focuses on the strategic importance of this command.
As China expands its presence in the Indian Ocean through its ‘String of Pearls’ strategy—establishing ports and bases in Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Myanmar, and Djibouti—India has responded by enhancing ANC’s military capabilities, Editor-in-Chief Nitin A. Gokhale asserts. From surveillance drones and P-8I maritime patrol aircraft to expanded naval bases and strategic partnerships with Indo-Pacific allies, ANC is emerging as a key player in regional security.
The chat delves into the ANC’s role in countering China’s growing influence, its significance in India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) doctrine, and its future as a potential Maritime Theatre Command.
Nitin and Neelanjana discuss how India’s defence diplomacy—through joint military exercises, logistics agreements, and strategic collaborations with QUAD nations (US, Japan, Australia)—is shaping the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific.
What does ANC’s evolution mean for India’s maritime dominance? How is it tackling China’s expanding footprint? And could it become a key hub for Indo-Pacific security cooperation?
Join us for a deep dive into India’s maritime frontline, where geopolitics, strategy, and security converge. We look forward to your comments.
