• India is investing about $9 billion to build a transshipment port, airport, and infrastructure on Great Nicobar Island, located near the Strait of Malacca, one of the world’s busiest shipping corridors.
  • The project involves felling about 852,000 trees and faces criticism over environmental and social impact on indigenous communities like the Shompen.
  • Former Air Marshal R. Nambiar argues the strategic value lies in denying potential rivals, especially China, control of the region.
  • India must prepare to face a ‘peer-plus’ navy where large surface fleets are increasingly exposed to precision strikes and aerospace power.
  • China has spent two decades building influence across the Indian Ocean, securing port access in Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Djibouti.

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