Andaman and Nicobar Islands India’s Untapped Strategic Assets Andaman and Nicobar Islands India’s Untapped Strategic Assets Sanat Kaul INSTITUTE FOR DEFENCE STUDIES & ANALYSES NEW DELHI Pentagon PRess Andaman and Nicobar Islands: India’s Untapped Strategic Assets By Sanat Kaul First Published in 2015 Copyright © Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, New Delhi ISBN 978-81-8274-774-6 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without first obtaining written permission of the copyright owner. Disclaimer: The views expressed in this book are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, or the Government of India. Published by PENTAGON PRESS 206, Peacock Lane, Shahpur Jat, New Delhi-110049 Phones: 011-64706243, 26491568 Telefax: 011-26490600 email:
[email protected] website: www.pentagonpress.in Branch: Prime Arcade Office #11 1154 Saifee Street Opp. M.G. Road, Camp Pune-411001 Email:
[email protected] In association with Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses No. 1, Development Enclave, New Delhi-110010 Phone: +91-11-26717983 Website: www.idsa.in Printed at Avantika Printers Private Limited. Contents Preface ix Abbreviations xi List of Maps, Photographs and Table xiii 1. Introduction 1 2. Background of Andaman & Nicobar Archipelagos 18 Maps and Distances 18 Background of Andaman Islands 21 Some Features of Port Blair 24 The Andaman Story 25 History of Nicobar Islands 28 The Credibility of R. Akoojee Jadwet & Company 41 1947: India becomes Independent 42 2004 Tsunami and the Nicobar Islands: Role of Ellon Henongo 51 Conclusion 53 3.