Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 01 February 2025
Pondicherry University’s UGC Centre for Maritime Studies, in collaboration with the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) and the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), hosted a two-day national seminar titled “Andaman & Nicobar Islands: Multidimensional Perspectives”. The event brought together eminent scholars, policymakers, and experts to deliberate on the archipelago’s geopolitical significance, economic potential, and environmental challenges.
Reassessing ANI’s Strategic Role
Former Ambassador to Myanmar Rajiv Bhatia inaugurated the seminar with a keynote address that challenged colonial-era perspectives on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (ANI) and advocated for a comprehensive Blue Economy policy balancing sustainable development and biodiversity conservation. Prof. Abhay Kumar Singh, Vice-Chancellor (i/c) of Nalanda University, underscored ANI’s deep-rooted maritime history and its role in modern geopolitical strategies. Prof. K. Tharanikkarasu, Vice-Chancellor (i/c) of Pondicherry University, emphasized the necessity of policy-driven research to ensure ANI’s growth aligns with national security and sustainability goals.
Innovative Presentations and Expert Deliberations
A standout moment of the seminar was Prof. A. Subramanyam Raju’s innovative reverse map demonstration, which provided fresh insights into ANI’s vast oceanic reach. Indian Maritime University Vice-Chancellor Malini V. Shankar shared personal experiences with Indigenous communities, shedding light on their ecological wisdom and cultural richness.
Dr. Sripathi Narayanan (ICWA) stressed the urgency of conservation efforts to protect ANI’s fragile ecosystem, while Prof. G. Chandrika, Dean of Social Sciences & International Studies at Pondicherry University, lauded the Centre for Maritime Studies for enhancing ANI-related research.
Key Plenary and Technical Sessions
The first day of the seminar featured two plenary sessions chaired by Prof. S.K. Mohanty (RIS, New Delhi) and Dr. Rajoo Balaji (Pro-Vice Chancellor, Indian Maritime University, Chennai). Air Marshal (Dr.) M. Matheswaran called for a unified military command in ANI, reinforcing its critical location in the Indo-Pacific while cautioning against unchecked militarization. He advocated for public-private partnerships to foster sustainable development. Dr. Rajoo Balaji explored ANI’s untapped economic potential, highlighting the need for marine spatial planning and eco-tourism models.
Energy security was another focal point, with Prof. P.V. Rao and Prof. S.K. Mohanty discussing ANI’s natural gas and oil reserves and its prospects for renewable energy projects. Prof. Mohanty also pushed for exclusive trade zones and sustainable industrialization.
On the second day, technical sessions explored ANI’s evolving strategic and connectivity roles. Prof. P.V. Rao chaired discussions on India’s Indo-Pacific strategy, with Brigadier Amod Chadha describing ANI as an “unsinkable aircraft carrier” vital to India’s defense posture. Cdr. Arnab Das (Retd.) introduced the concept of Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA), emphasizing the need for data-driven maritime security strategies.
ANI: A Strategic Asset for India’s Future
As the seminar concluded, it was evident that ANI’s importance extends beyond national security to encompass trade, energy, and environmental conservation. Speakers reinforced ANI’s role as a key node in India’s Indo-Pacific strategy, advocating for enhanced regional partnerships, infrastructure development, and ecological sustainability. The event set the stage for further policy discussions on ANI’s future, ensuring a balanced approach to its development.