The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are not just an important strategic outpost for India; rather, their position places India close to the sea routes that connect the Bay of Bengal with Southeast Asia, giving the country a strategic position in the Indo-Pacific region. However, the significance of the islands lies not only in where they are located, but in the increasing capability of India to use the islands for its maritime surveillance, operations, and engagements with the ne

Contemporary India’s strategic environment is like the Chakravyuh from the Mahabharat. The Chakravyuh was a military formation, and it had multiple layers to not only attack but also isolate the opponent from all sides. Abhimanyu knew how to enter it but not how to exit. The present situation of India is similar to that of Abhimanyu’s. Illustration by The Geostrata The layers of the Chakravyuh are a strong analogy to the present layers of encirclement faced by India. The fir

The two largest civilisational states and the emerging powers of the global order, New Delhi and Beijing, are often perceived as strategic competitors in an evolving geopolitical landscape. This conventional narrative overlooks a much more complex strategic reality. There exists geopolitical rivalry along with deep economic interdependence and partial cooperation in global governance. Amid an increasingly multipolar international system, shifting supply chains, and intensifyi

The ocean has always represented a kind of duality for India: it has offered far-reaching opportunities while exposing subtle weaknesses. The extent of India’s maritime footprint, with 7,516 kilometres of coastline and more than 2.4 million sq kilometres of Exclusive Economic Zone, dwarfs India’s landmass. While the Indian Ocean Region holds strategic significance for India, it also represents the economic lifeblood of the world. Approximately 40% of the physical oil trade a

Ports are the backbone of a state’s economic integration as well as strategic military capabilities. Modern trade relies heavily on the...