Indian Navy To Commission INS Jatayu On Lakshadweep Island Closest To Maldives Amid Deteriorating Diplomatic Ties

Indian Navy is set to commission Naval Detachment Minicoy as INS Jatayu on 6 March to augment security infrastructure at the strategically important Lakshadweep Islands.

This comes amid India's deteriorating relations with Maldives since the election of pro-China President Mohamed Muizzu as the President. He has asked India to withdraw its troops by May.

Minicoy is the southernmost island of Lakshadweep which straddles the vital Sea Lines of Communications (SLOCs). This means that it will be closest to the Maldives, just 258 kilometres away.

INS Jatayu is the second Naval base in Lakshadweep after INS Dweeprakshak in Kavaratti. Its objective is to extend operational surveillance, reach and sustenance.

"The base will enhance the operational reach and facilitate the Indian Navy’s operational effort towards  Anti-Piracy and Anti-Narcotics Operations in the Western Arabian Sea," the press release said.

"It will also augment the Indian Navy’s capability as the first responder in the region and augment connectivity with the mainland. The establishment of a Naval base is in line with the Government of India’s focus towards the comprehensive development of islands," it added.