On February 14, the government of India announced that they would be developing naval and air bases on the islands of Agatti and Minicoy in the Lakshadweep archipelago, off the western coast of India and located approximately 325 miles (524 km) north of the Maldives.
The Indian government plans to inaugurate the bases in early March with a visit by Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The Defence Minister will be traveling abroad the INS Vikramaditya and will be escorted by the INS Vikrant carrier task force
This comes as Chinese influence in the region continues to expand rapidly, especially through China’s increasing relations with the Maldives.
