Rajnath Singh near the lighthouse at Indira Point, Andaman and Nicobar Islands. (Photo: Defence ministry)
New Delhi: The defence minister, Rajnath Singh, visited Indira Point – the country’s southernmost top, on Friday. This visit took place on the final day of his two-day visit to the strategically important Andaman and Nicobar Islands. He was accompanied by the commander in chief of the Andaman and Nicobar Command (CINCAN), Lieutenant General Ajai Singh.
At Indira Point, Singh took stock of India’s defence preparedness and encouraged the troops to continue protecting the country’s national interests in the Indian Ocean Region. The defence minister was familiarized with the terrain of the Southern Group of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. He also paid a visit to INS Baaz and interacted with troops there.
Rajnath Singh (2R) at INS Baaz, Indira Point, Andaman and Nicobar Islands. (Photo: Defence ministry)
It may be noted that the Andaman and Nicobar Command is India’s first and only integrated theatre command, which was established in 2001 to safeguard India’s strategic interests in Southeast Asia and the Strait of Malacca.
Earlier, on Thursday, Singh visited the headquarters of the Andaman and Nicobar Command in Port Blair where he reviewed the operational preparedness of the command and infrastructure development at operational areas.
This is Singh’s first visit to Indira Point since January 2019. This visit is also seen as strategic signalling in view of the proximity of these far-flung islands to the Indo-Pacific, especially when China has started sending its naval and spy ships in the region.
