India’s guardian of the Malacca and Nicobar Straits will oversee the sea route between Asia and Europe.
Źródło: government.economictimes.indiatimes.com
By While the world’s attention is focused on the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, India is implementing an investment that could significantly impact the security of global trade and European supply chains. The government in New Delhi has begun construction of a strategic dual-use naval and air base on the route through the Strait of Malacca, having already allocated $9 billion for this purpose.
Poland is connected to Asian ports by several ocean routes and indirect connections through Western European hubs. From China alone, Poland imported goods worth €57.9 billion in 2025. Last year, imports from that country increased by 13.3% compared to 2024, according to the Central Statistical Office. For comparison, the value of imports from Vietnam in 2024 was estimated at $3.4 billion.
India’s activity was noticed by both the United States and China. Finally, last year, the country received a €57.9 billion import contract. Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) has announced possible updates on several surface ship and submarine projects for the Indian Navy, reported “Naval News.” MDL representatives suggested in their 2026 plans that the Navy is planning a destroyer project, which could include the development of the “Charlie 15” or a new-generation destroyer, worth approximately $9 billion. This is therefore a topic for discussion at the upcoming summit in Beijing.
A key point will be created at the confluence of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, controlling a significant area of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Eskobar will soon be replaced by Nicobar Island in Polish political terminology. In India, the “Greater Nicobar Island Concept Plan” has been given top government priority. The Indian government has described this initiative as crucial to strengthening the country’s economic and geopolitical position in the Indo-Pacific region.
India’s initiative is at odds with China’s activity, which has a different concept for asserting its presence. China employs various strategies to gain geopolitical and economic advantage. One such strategy is China’s “String of Pearls” strategy. The String of Pearls refers to a geopolitical theory regarding China’s potential intentions in the Indian Ocean region, as explained by Syed Aresh Sohail Shah in his article “China’s Geo-Political “String of Pearls” Strategy Explained.”
The term “String of Pearls” first appeared in 2005 in a document titled “Energy Future in Asia” presented to United States Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld by Booz Allen Hamilton, as Niranjan Jose recalls in his article “String of Pearls in the Indian Ocean: How is India countering China in the Maldives?” in the South Asia Journal. The “String of Pearls” is a network of Chinese military and commercial facilities, as well as relationships along key maritime communication routes. This network allows China to encircle the Indian Peninsula and also helps it maintain a military presence in the Indian Ocean.
Source: Niranjan Josew, “String of Pearls in the Indian Ocean: How is India countering China in the Maldives?” in “South Asia Journal”
Nicobar Guards the Oceans
The construction of the Nicobar military and logistics base is a response to Chinese activity in the region. The project has been criticized by scientists, environmentalists, and indigenous peoples. The Indian government’s determination, combined with military and economic priorities, has driven this new investment. Great Nicobar Island will soon be a prominent feature on the global logistics map.
The planned container port aims to reduce India’s dependence on transit through Singapore and Colombo. It is estimated that this will save the Indian economy $200-220 million annually. The construction of logistics infrastructure at this location is expected to contribute to the creation of a new regional maritime trade hub.
The project covers an area of approximately 166 square kilometers, or nearly one-fifth of the island’s total area. Environmentalists are warning that over 130 square kilometers of forest land will disappear. Moreover, people will also be affected by the environmental changes. 84.1 square kilometers are currently occupied by a tribal reserve, warns Purti Jain of Earth.org. The island’s population, currently just over 8,000, is projected to increase more than 80-fold.
However, environmentalists will not stop the investment, which already holds clear strategic significance. Great Nicobar Island lies closer to Indonesia than to the Indian mainland. As part of the remote Andaman and Nicobar Islands archipelago, it is viewed by India as a forward military and economic outpost. It is located approximately 150 kilometers from the western entrance to the Strait of Malacca. Its crucial importance for controlling the passage between Asia, India, and the Middle East is undeniable.
Source: Capt. Dilip Goel in “Galathea Bay ICTP: India’s Strategic Leap in Maritime Infrastructure”
A Hub for Containers and Aircraft: The “Greater Nicobar Island Concept Plan” envisions the construction of an international container transshipment hub, a dual-purpose airport, a power plant, and a residential development in Galathea Bay on Great Nicobar Island. There is no doubt that the construction of runways on the island will facilitate the operations of fighter jets and reconnaissance aircraft. Furthermore, the construction of port basins and jetties will enable Indian Navy operations far from the Indian Subcontinent.
On Chinese social media, internet users are openly attacking the Indian government’s investment. In early May of this year, the Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) reassured neighboring countries and environmentalists. It openly stated that “The Greater Nicobar Project is a strategic project aimed at strengthening India’s presence in the Andaman Sea and Southeast Asia.”
It is emphasized that the investment is being implemented “with appropriate environmental safeguards and the protection of indigenous communities. By combining strategic, economic, and ecological priorities, the project aims to ensure sustainable, inclusive development of Greater Nicobar Island, consistent with national interests.”
It is emphasized that the investment process was launched “after a detailed selection process, scoping, public consultation, and environmental impact assessment.” The scale of the investment is demonstrated by the fact that the planned International Container Transhipment Port (ICTT) will be a massive port with a capacity of 16 million TEU upon completion, writes Capt. Dilip Goel in the article “Galathea Bay ICTP: India’s Strategic Leap in Maritime Infrastructure” for Maritime Intel Brief.
The Greenfield International Airport is expected to handle 4,000 passengers during peak hours (PHP). The new airport is planned to be able to handle at least 1 million passengers once it opens. Ultimately, its capacity will increase to approximately 10 million passengers annually. The new city and logistics center will be powered by a 450 MVA gas-solar power plant.
Source: Capt. Dilip Goel in “Galathea Bay ICTP: India’s Strategic Leap in Maritime Infrastructure”