Union Minister Kiren Rijiju expressed his concerns about certain groups opposing the Great Nicobar infrastructure project, suggesting they are influenced by external forces. He emphasized that strategic projects like this should not be judged solely on environmental or commercial grounds. Rijiju made these remarks during the Andaman Ideas Summit 2026 in Sri Vijaya Puram, Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The ongoing debate surrounding the Great Nicobar project involves plans for an international container transshipment terminal, a greenfield international airport, power infrastructure, and a township in the southernmost part of the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago. Rijiju stressed the importance of considering India’s long-term national interests when developing infrastructure in strategically significant regions like the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
While not naming any specific group, Rijiju hinted that opposition to crucial projects should be understood within a broader geopolitical framework. He highlighted the need to balance environmental sustainability, economic growth, and national security concerns in development decisions for such vital regions. The Great Nicobar project is viewed as a key element in India’s efforts to enhance its maritime presence in the eastern Indian Ocean and leverage its proximity to the Malacca Strait.
Rijiju also underscored the strategic value of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, stating that they would play a crucial role in India’s Indo-Pacific strategy and future economic expansion. He pointed out that the islands’ significance had been historically underestimated due to a lack of appreciation for their potential. The Minister’s comments are expected to contribute to the ongoing discourse on the Great Nicobar development plan, which is among India’s major strategic infrastructure projects currently in progress.
