Providing independent, quality reference documents, this report highlights issues related to the development priorities of the islands and looks to the future in areas such as health, education, tribal development, environment, agriculture, ports, and shipping and air connectivity. The analysis also suggests a long-term plan to restore the livelihoods adversely affected by the Tsunami in December 2004, and it serves as a useful reference to stimulate informed debate on the policy issues faced by the Union Territory.

Contributed articles.

Andaman & Nicobar Islands located over 1200 km to India’s East are nature’s bounty inherited by India during the process of our Independence. Located on the strategic Sea Lines of Communication connecting the Indian Ocean to the Asia-Pacific region and sitting at the entrance of the Malacca Straits, they provide India with strategic reach and could act as a launch pad in the geographical vicinity of South-East Asia. In this book, the authors have brought in their nuanced views on issues of geopolitical reality of the 21st century, the importance of these islands, and the contribution that these islands could make to the security of mainland India. The book initially provides an insight into the present global strategic environment focusing especially on the Indian Ocean Region, the Chinese ‘String of Pearls’ strategy as well as China’s ‘Malacca Dilemma’. It further brings out the strengths of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, their strategic significance and recommends a way ahead for their development. It finally suggests a set of comprehensive set of policy recommendations.