INS JATAYU 

Recently, The Naval Detachment Minicoy will be officially commissioned as INS Jatayu, representing a significant upgrade to the naval infrastructure in the Lakshadweep Islands. This development underscores the Indian Navy's ongoing efforts to bolster security measures in this strategically vital region.

Although India has maintained a naval presence in Minicoy since the 1980s, the establishment of INS Jatayu will mark the country's second naval base in the Lakshadweep Islands. The first base, INS Dweeprakshak in Kavaratti, was commissioned back in 2012.

The commissioning of INS Jatayu follows closely on the heels of a joint inauguration by Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Pravind Jugnauth of Mauritius. Together, they unveiled an airstrip and jetty constructed by India on the Mauritian island of Agaléga, situated in the western Indian Ocean off the coast of Africa.

INS Jatayu is a naval base being established on Minicoy Island, Lakshadweep, India. It will be an upgrade of the existing Naval Detachment Minicoy, which currently functions under the operational command of the Naval Officer-in-Charge (Lakshadweep).

Significance

• INS Jatayu marks a crucial step in India's efforts to fortify its security presence in the strategically important Lakshadweep Islands.
• The base will improve the Navy's operational reach and capacity in the region, allowing it better to address threats and challenges like piracy and narcotics trafficking.
• The establishment of the base is aligned with the government's focus on the comprehensive development of the Lakshadweep Islands.

3. The Strategic Significance of the Lakshadweep Islands

• Lakshadweep, derived from Sanskrit and Malayalam meaning 'a hundred thousand islands', comprises 36 islands situated between 220 km and 440 km from Kochi.
• Among these islands, only 11 are inhabited, collectively occupying a mere 32 sq km of land. This archipelago forms part of a series of coral islands in the Indian Ocean, extending southward to the Maldives and further to the Chagos archipelago beyond the equator.
• The Lakshadweep Islands hold immense strategic importance for India due to their location in the Indian Ocean. Minicoy, one of the islands, occupies a critical position, intersecting vital Sea Lines of Communications (SLOCs), which are essentially the world’s primary maritime highways.
• Notably, these include the Eight Degree Channel between Minicoy and the Maldives, as well as the Nine Degree Channel between Minicoy and the primary cluster of Lakshadweep islands.
• However, alongside their strategic significance, the Lakshadweep Islands also face vulnerabilities, particularly concerning marine pollution. The island chain's position in key maritime routes underscores the need for heightened security measures and environmental conservation efforts in the region.

5. INS Jatayu's Role

• The establishment of INS Jatayu marks a significant stride in bolstering the Indian Navy's operational capabilities in the Lakshadweep Islands, aligning with the government's broader agenda of comprehensive island development. By providing an independent naval unit with essential infrastructure and resources, the Navy anticipates a notable enhancement in its operational efficiency within the region.
• The strategic positioning of the base is intended to fortify the Navy's operational reach, particularly in conducting anti-piracy and anti-narcotics operations across the western Arabian Sea. Additionally, INS Jatayu's commissioning will contribute to reinforcing the Navy's presence along the western seaboard, amplifying its capacity to safeguard maritime interests.
• Furthermore, the proposed airfield associated with INS Jatayu is poised to support a diverse range of aircraft, including P8I maritime reconnaissance planes and fighter jets. This expansion is pivotal in extending the Navy's operational surveillance capabilities, a crucial endeavour amid India's efforts to counter the escalating Chinese influence within the Indian Ocean Region.
• The timing of these developments is particularly pertinent against the backdrop of strained relations between India and the Maldives, exacerbated by the election of President Mohamed Muizzu, perceived as pro-China. INS Jatayu's establishment underscores India's strategic imperative to assert its presence and safeguard its interests in the region amidst evolving geopolitical dynamics.