Washington, Dec 11 (NationPress) The Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India, strategically positioned at the mouth of the Strait of Malacca, are becoming an essential asset for US–India maritime collaboration, experts informed American legislators. During a session of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on South and Central Asia, Jeff Smith from the Heritage Foundation emphasized the significance of these islands, stating they offer India unparalleled oversight of a crucial maritime chokepoint.

Smith expressed a desire for heightened US-Indian collaboration in the region, advocating for enhanced intelligence-sharing and surveillance integration. He highlighted that China has been deploying submarines into the Indian Ocean since approximately 2013–14, dismissing Beijing's assertions that these operations are merely anti-piracy missions as dubious. “It is well-known that a nuclear submarine is not necessary for anti-piracy operations near the Somali coast,” he remarked, noting that India's increasing sense of encirclement stems from border disputes, maritime encirclement, and partnerships between China and Pakistan.

He further illustrated the escalating maritime tensions, stating, “While border disputes exist, the maritime rivalry is intensifying significantly. The US maintains a base in Diego Garcia, which has recently come under scrutiny. Access to Diego Garcia is vital, but on the opposite side of the Indian Ocean, India has a naval base at the mouth of the Strait of Malacca in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.”

Smith affirmed, “This is indeed an invaluable asset for any nation, particularly for India. I hope for increased cooperation between the US and India in this area, as it allows both nations to oversee traffic entering and exiting the Indian Ocean from the Western Pacific.

Dhruva Jaishankar elaborated on India's naval advancements, indicating that the Indian Navy has escalated its patrol operations, broadened humanitarian and anti-piracy missions, and enhanced joint exercises with partners in the Western Pacific, including nations like South Korea, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and around Guam.

Witnesses contended that maritime collaboration is vital for countering China’s Indo-Pacific strategy. Committee Chairman Bill Huizenga cautioned that China’s “string of pearls” represents a deliberate effort to encircle and dominate the Indian Ocean, emphasizing that maintaining free sea lanes is essential for global economic stability.

Smith urged Congress to promote defense co-production, expedite export clearances, and bolster intelligence partnerships to enable both nations to track submarine movements and monitor Chinese naval operations.

The testimony underscored that the US perceives India as a maritime anchor capable of influencing the Indo-Pacific power dynamics, particularly as China amplifies its presence from Djibouti to the Western Pacific.