Mohd Asif
Introduction
Given their advantageous location close to the Strait of Malacca, it is no surprise that the Andaman and Nicobar Islands frequently take center stage in discussions about India’s maritime strategy. India’s western flank, especially the Lakshadweep Islands, has long been underutilized, despite the east receiving constant attention. Beyond its picturesque beauty, this archipelago in the Arabian Sea could be the keystone India needs to develop a strong Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) strategy to fend off China’s growing threats and increase its influence throughout the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
The Unseen Potential of Lakshadweep
It may appear that Lakshadweep is a small chain of 36 islands spanning about 32 square kilometers. However, location, not landmass, is what makes it significant. The islands provide proximity to important maritime traffic that travels through the Arabian Sea, which is increasingly susceptible to geopolitical contestation, as they are nestled near key sea lanes of communication (SLOCs).
Just over 400 kilometers west of the Indian mainland, this underutilized frontier could be used as a forward operating base to monitor Chinese naval activity, project power, and fortify India’s western maritime surveillance system. The need for a more robust Indian presence on the western seaboard is growing as China’s naval presence in the Indian Ocean expands steadily through patrol missions, commercial ports, and the so-called “string of pearls.”
The China Factor: Escalating Concerns in the IOR
Through a combination of economic investments and maritime expansionism, Beijing has gradually expanded its influence in South Asia and the Indian Ocean over the last ten years. A deeper strategy is reflected in projects like Sri Lanka’s Hambantota Harbor and Pakistan’s Gwadar Port, which aim to establish China as a resident power in the IOR and secure its maritime supply lines.
India faces a variety of difficulties as a result of this expansion. China’s increasing fleet presence, which includes submarines and surveillance ships, puts additional strain on India’s naval readiness in addition to its desire for access and supremacy in India’s historical sphere of influence. The strategic value of Lakshadweep is now evident: it might act as a counterbalance to China’s influence, enabling India to establish deterrence mechanisms along its western coast, similar to the Andaman on the east.
Lakshadweep and the A2/AD Strategy
In contemporary defense literature, the idea of Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) has become more well-known, particularly as regional powers seek to stop adversaries from entering or moving through vital areas. India may use a combination of air surveillance systems, anti-ship missile batteries, coastal radar stations, and naval deployments to carry out an A2/AD strategy in the western Indian Ocean.
The location of Lakshadweep is perfect for this. The islands are close enough to allow for coordinated defense structures, but far enough apart to make it difficult for enemies to target them. India could create a responsive A2/AD bubble that makes it expensive and dangerous for enemies to enter by deploying surveillance drones, maritime patrol planes, or even smaller naval units. Additionally, the installation of satellite communication infrastructure, cyber-defense nodes, and space-based tracking could turn Lakshadweep into digital maritime fortress.
Challenges and Considerations
Leveraging Lakshadweep’s potential is not without its challenges, though. There aren’t many ports, airfields, or logistical support systems on the islands. Large-scale militarization is also limited by the region’s ecological sensitivity. The security and way of life of the island’s indigenous population, who have frequently been excluded from national strategic discussions, must also be guaranteed by any development. India will have to tackle this from a hybrid perspective, striking a balance between sustainable development, soft-power diplomacy, and hard-power infrastructure. It will be essential to incorporate environmental protections, build dual-use infrastructure that serves both military and civilian needs, and involve the island communities in the decision-making process.
Toward a Comprehensive Maritime Doctrine
More than just a watchtower, Lakshadweep might serve as a living example of how a small chain of islands can support regional stability and maritime governance. In the Arabian Sea, it offers a chance to change from a reactive to a proactive strategic stance. India would be demonstrating not only its sovereignty but also its strategic will by turning Lakshadweep into a maritime hub with communication relays, logistical support, and a small naval presence. This would strongly indicate to China and other regional actors that India is prepared to protect its maritime
Concluding Reflections
At least it shouldn’t be the case that the Lakshadweep Islands are merely a collection of coral atolls. Their importance in the changing Indo-Pacific geopolitical chessboard cannot be denied. India must start to realize the unrealized potential of its western front as it restructures its maritime strategy to take into account the changing dynamics of regional power.
Lakshadweep has the potential to be the foundation of a maritime doctrine that is secure, sovereign, and prepared for the future, rather than merely a footnote in India’s defense story. The islands, which are stunning, underappreciated, and brimming with unrealized potential, serve as a metaphor for India’s strategic inertia in many ways. It is time for India to look westward, not just to counter China’s actions, but to assert its legitimate position as a maritime power with foresight, accountability, and reach.
References
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- Lakshadweep Administration. (2020). Integrated Island Management Plan (IIMP). Government of India. https://lakshadweep.gov.in
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- Pant, H. V. (2022). Lakshadweep: India’s Forgotten Maritime Frontier (Occasional Paper). Observer Research Foundation. https://www.orfonline.org
- Press Information Bureau (PIB). (2021). Statements on Lakshadweep development and environmental safeguards. https://pib.gov.in
About the contributor: Mohd Asif is a fellow at DFPGYF Diplomacy, Foreign Policy & Geopolitics Youth Fellow at IMPRI and is a research intern at IMPRI. He studied peace and conflict studies at Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi.
Disclaimer: All views expressed in the article belong solely to the author and not necessarily to the organisation.
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Acknowledgment: This article was posted by Bhaktiba Jadeja, visiting researcher and assistant editor at IMPRI.
