India raises concern over satellite imagery of Great Coco Islands
- In Reports
- 10:49 PM, Apr 02, 2024
- Myind Staff
India has expressed worry regarding recent satellite imagery showing renewed construction efforts on Myanmar's remote Great Coco Islands, situated just 55 kilometers north of the strategically important Andaman and Nicobar Islands, according to reports.
Previously, there were accusations that the Chinese military utilized the Great Coco Islands as a listening post to gather intelligence on Indian activities.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands fall within India's sole operational tri-services command, the Andaman and Nicobar Command, and host several strategically important naval and air force bases. The ongoing construction on the island raises concerns for India because of Myanmar's military junta's strong ties with China.
According to Damien Symon, a geospatial intelligence researcher at the Intel Lab, and John Pollock from Chatham House, there are observable indications of ongoing military modernization and the establishment of infrastructure to accommodate aircraft on the islands. Recent imagery suggests that Myanmar might be planning to initiate maritime surveillance activities from the Great Coco Islands in the near future.
The report indicates the presence of two newly constructed hangars, a recently built causeway, and what seems to be accommodation facilities, all situated near a recently extended 2,300-meter runway and radar station.
Additionally, visible activities observed as of late March on the southern tip of Great Coco Island, just past the connecting causeway, suggest ongoing land clearing efforts, signaling forthcoming construction work.
In January, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh visited the headquarters of the Andaman and Nicobar Command in Port Blair to assess operational readiness. This marked his first visit to Indira Point since January 2019. Additionally, he toured the southernmost Air Station of the Indian Armed Forces, INS Baaz, located at Campbell Bay in Great Nicobar Island.
Image Source: India Today
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