India is preparing to operationalize a powerful new naval base near the strategically significant Andaman and Nicobar Islands, reinforcing its presence in the eastern Indian Ocean and countering China’s growing footprint in the region. This move is part of New Delhi’s broader maritime security and geopolitical strategy to safeguard crucial sea lanes and project power across the Indo-Pacific.
The new base, codenamed INS Baaz, is expected to significantly boost India’s surveillance, logistics, and operational capabilities near the Strait of Malacca — one of the busiest maritime chokepoints in the world. Over 60,000 ships transit through the strait annually, carrying nearly 40% of global trade, making it a strategic lifeline for both India and China.
By enhancing its footprint in this area, India aims to monitor and, if necessary, restrict the movement of hostile naval forces, particularly from China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), which has been steadily increasing its presence in the Indian Ocean under the guise of anti-piracy patrols and strategic port investments across South Asia.
Why This Base Matters:
Strategic Location: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are India’s easternmost outpost, located just 1200 km from the Chinese naval base in Djibouti and less than 500 km from the coasts of Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
Surveillance Capabilities: The new base will be equipped with advanced radar systems, maritime patrol aircraft, and possibly drone surveillance, enhancing India’s ability to monitor sea traffic and respond to threats in real time.
Military Edge: The base is expected to host warships, submarines, and special operations units, providing a strategic advantage in responding quickly to emergencies or threats in the Indo-Pacific.
Senior naval officials have confirmed that the base will be commissioned soon, with infrastructure development in its final stages. This aligns with India’s recent focus on modernizing its naval forces, acquiring new submarines, warships, and maritime aircraft to keep pace with regional dynamics.
A Message to China and the World
This development comes at a time of increasing maritime assertiveness by China in the South China Sea and Indian Ocean Region. With the Belt and Road Initiative and its String of Pearls strategy, Beijing has sought to expand its influence across critical naval chokepoints.
India’s new naval base sends a strong signal that it is ready to protect its interests and play a leading role in ensuring a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific. It also strengthens India’s role within multilateral frameworks like the Quad (India, US, Japan, and Australia), aimed at balancing China’s dominance.