International Journal of Indic Knowledge Systems
ISSN: 3108-2394
Converging Interests through Maritime Cooperation: Andaman-Nicobar Islands as a Strategic Player in India-Indonesia Relations
Sanchita Borah, Shubhalikha Boruah
Volume 1 · Issue 1 · May 2025 · pp. 36–57

Abstract

A similar mindset is being shared by India and Indonesia regarding the sphere of maritime, with a desire to become credible maritime players in the region of IndoPacific. In this scenario, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have evolved as a crucial feature for India and Indonesia’s strategic partnership in the 21st century. The islands have emerged as an ‘eastern fish hook’ in the quest between these two nations to control the most crucial trade routes that will help them appear as a superpower. Amidst the aggressive policy of China in the Indo-Pacific region, this ‘fish hook’ is a new challenge that has emerged for countering it. It is worth the need of the hour to give a glimpse of the strategic importance of the islands becoming an ‘eastern fish hook’. With 572 islands, the archipelago's northernmost point is just 22 nautical miles from Myanmar, while its southernmost point is about 90 nautical miles from Indonesia. As a result, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands can become India’s strategic catch in countering China’s ‘Strings of Pearl’ strategy because of their closeness to the ‘Strait of Malacca’ chokehold. The global oil trade in the marine region, which travels via the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), accounts for around 80 per cent, covering the nearby six-degree channel and the Strait of Malacca. If India develops its major naval base in the vicinity of this strait, there can be a colossal strategic and prudent advantage that it can achieve in the entire IOR. In light of this, the purpose of this article is to comprehend the strategic significance of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in advancing India and Indonesia's shared interests in the IndoPacific area. The expansion of the maritime viewpoint in both nations' strategic thinking will also be highlighted in the paper. Both nations' engrossment in their common mindset of ‘matters maritime’, which has the potential to transform their image in the maritime world order, will be analysed.

References
  1. Baruah, D. M. (2020, June 30). India in the Indo-Pacific: New Delhi’s theater of opportunity. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. https://carnegieendowment.org/2020/06/30/india-in-indo-pacific-new-delhi-stheater-opportunity-pub-82205
  2. Bedi, P., & Mahavir. (2023). Indo-Pacific smart megasystem studies: Is Kolkata ready to be the gateway to Indo-Pacific region? In Indo-Pacific Smart Megacity Studies (pp. 371–395).
  3. Brewster, D. (2011). The relationship between India and Indonesia: An evolving security partnership? Asian Survey, 221–244.
  4. Chaudhury, D. R. (2019, March 20). Eyeing Southeast Asia, India builds port in Indonesia. The Economic Times. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/eyeing-southeast-asiaindia-builds-port-in-indonesia/articleshow/68490478.cms
  5. Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia. (2017). Indonesian ocean policy. Jakarta: Government of Indonesia.
  6. Cordner, L. (2011). Progressing maritime security cooperation in the Indian Ocean. Naval War College Review, 64(4), 68–88.
  7. Das, U. (2019, July 13). What is the Indo-Pacific? The Diplomat. https://thediplomat.com/2019/07/what-is-the-indo-pacific/
  8. EBRD. (n.d.). Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). https://www.ebrd.com/what-we-do/beltand-road/overview
  9. Febrica, S. (2023). Indonesia and the Indo-Pacific. Routledge.
  10. Febrica, S. (2021). Indonesia and the Indo-Pacific: Cooperation, interests, and strategies. In L. Buszynski & D. T. Hai (Eds.), Maritime issues and regional order in the Indo-Pacific (p. 233). Palgrave Macmillan.
  11. Ghosh, A. K., Sarkar, D., & Basu Ray Chaudhary, A. (2022). Security, economy, and ecology: Setting priorities for cooperation. ORF. https://www.orfonline.org/wpcontent/uploads/2022/02/ORF_SpecialReport_184_Security-Econ-EcologyIndoPacific.pdf
  12. Gindarsah, I., & Priamarizki, A. (2015). Indonesia’s maritime doctrine and security concerns. RSIS Policy Report, 9(9).
  13. Gopal, P. (2018, September 11). India’s navy: Between carriers and patrol boats. The Interpreter. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/india-s-navy-betweencarriers-patrol-boats
  14. Gopal, P. (2020a, January 23). India: Navigating the straits of capability. The Interpreter. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/india-navigating-straitscapability
  15. Gopal, P. (2020b). Maritime domain awareness and India’s maritime security strategy: Role, effectiveness, and way ahead. Maritime Affairs: Journal of the National Maritime Foundation, 16(2), 1–12.
  16. Government of India, Ministry of External Affairs. (2013, October 11). Joint statement – Five initiatives for strengthening the India-Indonesia strategic partnership. https://mea.gov.in/in-focus-article.htm?22318
  17. Gupta, S. (2022, June 26). Was cash strapped Sri Lanka duped by China in Hambantota port? Hindustan Times. https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/was-cashstrapped-sri-lanka-duped-by-china-in-hambantota-port-101656205799
  18. Haruko, W. (2020, March 16). The Indo-Pacific concept: Geographical adjustments and their implications. RSIS. https://www.rsis.edu.sg/wpcontent/uploads/2020/03/WP326.pdf
  19. IASBABA. (2022). Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity. https://iasbaba.com/2022/05/indo-pacific-economic-framework-p
  20. Ministry of Shipping, Government of India. (2015). Annual report 2014–2015. https://shipmin.gov.in/sites/default/files/2015-16.pdf
  21. Mukhopadhaya, G. (2016, November 25). Indonesia’s president’s visit to India: A visit of strategic significance. IDSA. https://idsa.in/publisher/specialfeature/indonesianpresident-visit-india
  22. Natalegawa, M. (2013, May 20). An Indonesian perspective. The Jakarta Post. https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2013/05/20/an-indonesian-perspective
  23. Pant, H. V., & Bommakanti, K. (2019). India’s national security: Challenges and dilemmas. International Affairs, 95(4), 835–857.
  24. Paskal, C. (2021, March 22). Indo-Pacific strategies, perceptions, and partnership. Chatham House. https://www.chathamhouse.org/2021-03-22-indo-pacificstrategies
  25. PIB. (2018, June 1). Text of Prime Minister’s keynote address at Shangri-La Dialogue. https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=179711
  26. Rahman, C. (2013). The geopolitical context. In Indo-Pacific Maritime Security in the 21st Century: Proceedings of an International Conference. Newport: US Naval War College.
  27. Saha, P. (2022, January 26). India’s role in the emerging dynamics of the Indo-Pacific. ORF. https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/indias-role-in-the-emergingdynamics-of-the-indo-pacific/
  28. Sangi, L., & Zomuanthang, J. C. (2022). Towards Indo-Pacific region: Perspective from India. Mizoram University Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 55–63.
  29. Sekretariat Kabinet Republik Indonesia. (2014, November 13). Pidato Presiden RI Joko Widodo pada KTT ke-9 Asia Timur, Myanmar. https://setkab.go.id/pidato-presiden-rijoko-widodo-pada-ktt-ke-9-asia-timur-myanmar
  30. Suri, G. (2016). India’s maritime security concerns and the Indian Ocean region. Indian Foreign Affairs Journal, 238–252.
  31. Sengupta, A. (2025, January 28). From Sukarno to Prabowo Subianto: The evolution of India-Indonesia ties. The Indian Express. https://indianexpress.com/article/sukarno-toprabowo-subianto-evolution-india-indonesia-ties-9799419
  32. Trivedi, S. (2010). Early Indian influence in Southeast Asia: Revitalizing partnership between India and Indonesia. India Quarterly, 51, 67.
  33. U.S. Department of Defense. (2019, June 1). Indo-Pacific strategy report: Preparedness, partnerships, and promoting a networked region. https://media.defense.gov/2019/Jul/01/200113
  34. Verico, K. (2021, November 6). How Indonesia sees the Indo-Pacific economic architecture. NBR. https://www.nbr.org/indonesia-sees-indo-pacific-economicarchitecture
  35. Zou, Y. (2023). China and Indonesia’s responses to maritime disputes in the South China Sea: Forming a tacit understanding on security. Marine Policy, 1–22.

How to Cite This Article

Borah, S., & Boruah, S. (2025). Converging interests through maritime cooperation: Andaman-Nicobar Islands as a strategic player in India-Indonesia relations. International Journal of Indic Knowledge Systems, 1(1), 36–52.

Share This Article

X (Twitter) LinkedIn
Download Full Text PDF