India speeds up plans for shipping hub with connections to South-East Asia

A beach on South Andaman Island near Port Blair. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have a population of around 400,000 people. - AFP

NEW DELHI (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): Amid the growing presence of China in the Indian Ocean, India is seeking to speed up ambitious plans to convert the strategically situated Andaman and Nicobar Islands into a shipping and tourism hub with connections to South-East Asia.

Indian and Indonesian officials in a recent meeting agreed to “encourage sail tourism, cruise ship visits, and interaction between tour operators” between the two countries, against a backdrop of efforts to increase connectivity between the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Aceh, where India is helping to develop the deep sea port of Sabang.