In early January 2024, photographs of Prime Minister Narendra Modi snorkeling in Lakshadweep went viral on social media. This sparked a debate between proponents of a 'Maldives boycott' and those advocating for the 'exploration of Lakshadweep.' Now, two years later, significant changes are being observed across these 36 islands concerning tourism, infrastructure, and strategic presence.
Representatives from AajTak visited Agatti, Kavaratti, Minicoy, and Bitra to ascertain what has changed in Lakshadweep over the past two years. Lakshadweep is a group of 36 islands located approximately 220–440 kilometers from Kochi. The total area of these islands is only 32 square kilometers, with only 10 of them being inhabited: Kavaratti, Agatti, Amini, Kadmat, Kiltan, Chetlat, Bitra, Andrott, Kalpeni, and Minicoy.
Access to Lakshadweep was long difficult. Agatti had only a small runway, and the main means of reaching it were weekly vessels. However, the situation is changing. Prime Minister Modi's visit brought attention to Lakshadweep on the country's tourist map. According to official data, the number of tourists here has tripled since 2024. Work is underway to create new beach resorts, guesthouses, and plans for communication development via helicopters. The central government is also focusing on developing infrastructure usable by both ordinary citizens and security forces.
Expansion of Agatti airport is planned so that larger transport aircraft like ATR and military transport planes can land there. Furthermore, a new military-civilian airport is being developed on Minicoy along with a naval base.
Until 2023, the primary naval presence in Lakshadweep was limited to INS Dwipraksha in Kavaratti and a small naval unit on Minicoy. INS Dwipraksha was commissioned in 2012, and the naval unit on Minicoy was established in the early 1980s. Approximately two months after Prime Minister Modi's visit, on March 6, 2024, the then Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R. Hari Kumar commissioned INS Jatayu at Minicoy. This transformed the old unit into a fully independent naval formation.
Minicoy is the southernmost island of Lakshadweep and is located near the important 8th and 9th degree channels. It is about 524 kilometers from the Maldives and roughly 70 nautical miles from Turakunu Island. INS Jatayu plays a key role in combating maritime piracy, drug smuggling, and monitoring sea lanes.
Bitra, the smallest inhabited island in Lakshadweep with a population of about 200 people, is undergoing an environmental impact assessment for land acquisition to establish an advanced naval operational post. The goal is to eliminate observation gaps in the northern part of Lakshadweep and increase the naval force's operational reach. Nevertheless, local residents react to this ambiguously. They hope for job opportunities and improved medical services but are also concerned about population displacement on a small and vulnerable island.
According to officials, the driving force behind these changes is not only tourism but also security. Lakshadweep holds strategic importance against the backdrop of Chinese research vessels in the Indian Ocean and incidents of maritime piracy near Somalia. Moreover, the deployment of aircraft carriers INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikramaditya near Lakshadweep during the naval commanders' conference in March 2024 demonstrated India's growing maritime power.