What is the significance of 2nd naval base in Lakshadweep?
Recently the Indian Navy commissioned Naval Detachment Minicoy as INS Jatayu, enhancing the strategic security infrastructure in the Lakshadweep Islands
INS Jatayu is located in Minicoy, the southernmost atoll of the Lakshadweep, and will play a pivotal role in India's maritime security and control over the vital Sea Lines of Communications (SLOCs).
The transformation from a naval detachment to INS Jatayu involves upgrading facilities including administrative, logistics, medical facilities, and the addition of airfield, housing, and personnel
The construction plans for INS Jatayu’s new infrastructure, such as a jetty and airfield, must navigate the challenges posed by the island's fragile ecology
The commissioning of INS Jatayu will extend the Indian Navy’s operational reach and surveillance capabilities in the Indian Ocean, especially for anti-piracy and anti-narcotics operations
The base's commissioning follows recent initiatives like the inauguration of an airstrip and jetty in Mauritius, to strengthen India's maritime infrastructure and alliances in the Indian Ocean region
INS Jatayu is a strategic asset for India to counter growing Chinese influence in the Indian Ocean, especially at a time when India-Maldives relations face challenges
The archipelago is of significant strategic importance to India, located between 220 km and 440 km from Kochi and part of a chain of coralline islands including Maldives and the Chagos archipelago
The establishment of INS Jatayu aligns with the Indian government's focus on the comprehensive development of the Lakshadweep Islands, enhancing both security and development prospects
INS Jatayu will also contribute to the Indian Navy's operational capabilities, facilitate military and civil aircraft operations, and bolster India's position in the strategic landscape of the Indian Ocean