Mumbai, June 23: Admiral (Retd) D.K. Joshi, the Lieutenant Governor of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, has urged the business community to invest not only in projects within the islands but also to engage with the broader “Andaman Idea.” He emphasized the need for industries, policymakers, and civil society to work together to secure a rightful place for this archipelago in India’s economic and strategic landscape.
Addressing the Andaman Ideas Summit 2026, Joshi stated that the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are among India’s most significant yet underappreciated national assets. He highlighted the necessity for long-term investments and partnerships to fully develop and harness the islands’ potential.
“We want the industry to invest here, but more importantly, we want them to connect with the idea of placing Andaman in the mainstream of national discourse,” he said.
Describing the summit as a meeting for investors, Joshi noted the participation of key figures from tourism, hospitality, infrastructure, trade, government, and policy-making. This event is particularly crucial as the archipelago plays an increasingly vital role in India’s development and strategic agenda.
Joshi remarked that while geographical location provides natural advantages, economic prosperity or strategic power cannot be achieved solely based on geography. “Geography gives you an advantage, but it does not automatically translate into strategic or economic strength if not developed,” he stated.
He stressed that investments in infrastructure, connectivity, industries, and economic activities are essential to convert natural advantages into tangible economic and strategic outcomes.
Highlighting the islands’ significance, Joshi pointed out that many people on the mainland are unaware of their actual size and strategic importance. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands encompass nearly one-third of India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and about a quarter of the country’s total coastline.
He noted that the archipelago is located near the Malacca Strait, one of the busiest maritime routes in the world, connecting the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Approximately 100,000 ships pass through this waterway each year, carrying a significant portion of global trade.
“This fact underscores the geostrategic importance of these islands,” Joshi added.
He explained that the union territory comprises a total of 836 islands, stretching approximately 750 kilometers from north to south. Its land area is larger than several Indian states, and the administration must ensure health, education, welfare schemes, and supply of essential goods across nearly 49,000 square kilometers.
“We often view the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as a small island region, while the reality is quite different,” he remarked.
Joshi cited examples of island nations in the Indian Ocean region, such as the Maldives, Seychelles, and Mauritius, stating that their combined land area is significantly smaller than that of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
He acknowledged that decades of limited infrastructure and connectivity had hindered the islands’ development post-independence. However, he noted that the situation has rapidly changed in the last decade, with several key projects enhancing connectivity and logistics between the islands and the mainland.
Joshi mentioned initiatives like the Chennai-Andaman submarine optical fiber cable, airport expansions, proposed greenfield airports, port-based development projects, and improvements in inter-island connectivity. He emphasized that these are not just development projects but efforts to deeply integrate the islands into India’s maritime economy and Indo-Pacific strategy.
The Lieutenant Governor asserted that the Andaman and Nicobar Islands should no longer be viewed as a remote border but as a crucial national asset with an increasingly important economic, maritime, and geopolitical role.
He stated that India is expanding its maritime ambitions and strengthening its presence in the Indo-Pacific region, positioning the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to play a more significant role in the country’s future.
Joshi called on the business community to recognize that private sector participation and long-term investment are essential alongside government initiatives. “Invest in the Andaman Idea. The future of the islands will be determined not only by government policies but also through partnerships with industries and investors,” he concluded.
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