The Indian Navy on Wednesday commissioned its new naval base — INS Jatayu — at Minicoy, the southernmost island of Lakshadweep, to bolster its operational capability and reach in the strategically important Indian Ocean region.

INS Jatayu is the second naval base in Lakshadweep after INS Dweeprakshak in Kavaratti. Minicoy is 215 nautical miles southwest of Kochi, Kerala.

Sources said the new base would enhance operational reach and facilitate the Indian Navy’s efforts towards anti-piracy and anti-narcotics operations in the western Arabian Sea and would also augment the navy’s capability as the first responder in the region.

Navy Chief Admiral R. Hari Kumar, who commissioned the new naval base, said it was crucial to recognise the pressing need for heightened surveillance amidst the prevailing geopolitical developments, which underscores the strategic significance of Lakshadweep to India.

“The Indian Ocean region is witnessing an upsurge in maritime terror, crime and piracy. The Indian Navy has responded with an assertive posture in the west and north Arabian Sea, undertaking anti-drone, anti-missile and anti-piracy operations to safeguard merchant traffic in the region,” he said.

The navy chief said the unit was named after the mythical bird in the Ramayana who tried to stop the abduction of Sita.

“In the Ramayana, Jatayu was the ‘first responder’, trying to stop the abduction of Sitaji, even to the peril of his own life, exemplifying service before self. So the naming of this unit as Jatayu is an apt recognition of this spirit of providing security, surveillance and selfless service,” Kumar said.

He said the new naval base would provide situational awareness to the Indian Navy in maintaining good maritime domain awareness of the entire region. “INS Baaz to the east in the Andamans and now INS Jatayu in the west will serve as the eyes and ears of the Navy to safeguard our national interest,” Kumar said.

Among the several challenges in the distant seas is China’s growing influence in the Indian Ocean Region, even as the Arabian Sea emerges as a new front with Red Sea tensions escalating and piracy witnessing a resurgence.

The navy has stepped up surveillance in the area substantially and deployed around 10 warships in the wake of rising threats.

Lakshadweep is part of a chain of coralline islands in the Indian Ocean that includes the Maldives to the south.

“China is also taking an assertive stance in the South China Sea and is challenging India’s domination in the region at a time India’s relations with the Maldives have come under strain since the election of pro-China President Mohamed Muizzu,” said a navy official.

According to him, recent developments in the western Indian Ocean, where merchant vessels have faced a barrage of drone attacks and hijacking attempts over the past few months, have led to extremely pressing challenges in the maritime domain.

The navy has been on operational preparedness in the Indian Ocean Region and has stepped up surveillance amid China’s attempts to stake claim to large portions of the disputed South China Sea. The navy’s eastern fleet has also increased deployment of ships in the Indian Ocean Region around the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.