Agalega Island
India worked with Mauritius to set up a military base on North Agalega Island, which was leased to the India for deploying a coastal surveillance radar system and developing several strategic assets.
This facility came about by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2015 agreements to develop islands in Mauritius and Seychelles to counter China’s hegemonic forays in the Indian Ocean.
The infrastructure projects were virtually inaugurated on February 29, 2024, by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth. India financed and built the key facilities, including a 3,000-meter airstrip and the St. James deep-sea jetty. Both governments stated that the upgrades improve transport connectivity, medical evacuation, and maritime security capabilities against illegal fishing and piracy. The upgraded facilities support maritime surveillance, search and rescue operations, and general transport connectivity for the local island residents.
Describing his meeting with the Mauritian Prime Minister as "excellent", PM Modi said the outcome of their talks were "truly significant… Our agreement on the development of Agalega Island is a major stride in our cooperation in infrastructure sector."
Developing an airfield, port, and a communications hub at Mauritius’ North Agalega island and in the strategically important southwestern part of the Indian Ocean has enhanced India’s maritime domain awareness.
A 3,000-metre stretch on the Agalega atoll is an ideal runaway for aircraft and also sizable jetty facilities reportedly being developed in deeper water, which support the operation of India’s fleet of Boeing P-8I maritime surveillance aircraft with capabilities of anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, intelligence, as well as surveillance and reconnaissance missions. Considering the great expanse of the Indian Ocean, North Agaléga island is a suitable staging point for refuelling.
India's external affairs ministry reportedly stated that the agreement "provides for setting up and upgradation of infrastructure for improving air and sea connectivity.... which will go a long way in ameliorating the conditions of the inhabitants of this remote island." Besides, India and Mauritius have a long history of cooperation.
The five pacts signed included a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two countries in the field of 'Ocean Economy' which will provide an extensive framework for cooperation, a novel and critical area of sustainable development in the Indian Ocean Region. The other agreements signed were a MoU for the improvement in sea and air transportation facilities at Agalega Island of Mauritius, MoU on cooperation in the field of traditional system of medicine and homoeopathy, programme for cultural cooperation between 2015-18 and a pact on import of fresh mango from India. India also offered to establish a second cyber city in Mauritius after it helped the island set up the first one a decade ago.
Minicoy Island
425 kilometres off Thiruvananthapuram and about 215 nautical miles southwest of Kochi, Minicoy Islands is the southernmost island of Lakshadweep, which straddles the vital Sea Lines of Communications.
Naval Detachment Minicoy was set up in early 1980s under the operational command of Naval Officer-in-Charge Lakshadweep. Basing of an independent Naval unit with requisite infrastructure and resources was done to enhance the overall operational capability of the Indian Navy in the islands. The base enhanced the operational reach and facilitated Indian Navy’s operational effort towards Anti-Piracy and Anti-Narcotics Operations in the Western Arabian Sea. It also augmented Indian Navy’s capability as the first responder in the region and extended connectivity with the mainland.
With Minicoy being the southernmost island in the Lakshadweep group and located close to major international trade routes, including the Eight-Degree Channel and Nine-Degree Channel, it was realised that a full base would enhance Indian Navy’s maritime domain awareness. In due course, on 06 March 2024, Indian Navy assigned INS Jatayu as Naval Detachment Minicoy in the presence of Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar. This event marked an important milestone in the Navy’s resolve to incrementally augment security infrastructure at the strategically important Lakshadweep Islands.
INS Jatayu became the second Naval base in Lakshadweep after INS Dweeprakshak in Kavaratti and its commissioning significantly strengthened the Indian Navy’s foothold in the Lakshadweep islands, extending operational surveillance, reach and sustenance and adding to comprehensive development of the island territories. Other key forward-operating bases and radar stations in Lakshadweep include INS Androth, INS Bitra, and INS Minicoy.
While the Indian government approved and revived plans to build the joint military and civilian airfield to handle commercial flights and fighter jets, construction has not finished, the sole operational airport in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep continues to be the Agatti Airport. Upon completion, these airstrips will facilitate the operations of Sukhoi-30 and Rafale aircraft, serving as a deterrent against China and showcasing India's air power capabilities.
Beyond these military deployments, the government also aims to enhance tourism in Minicoy Island through the development of resorts and infrastructure including helipads. With a capital investment of Rs. 319 crore, an eco-tourism project has been commenced, featuring the construction of at least 110 beach villas and 40 water villas.
The author, a strategic affairs analyst and former spokesperson, Defence Ministry and Indian Army, can be contacted at wordsword02@gmail.com
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