- India and Indonesia have completed a joint feasibility study on the development of strategically valuable Sabang port.
- Sabang port is roughly 700 km from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
- It is located in the Aceh, province of Indonesia.
- The successful development of Sabang Port would allow India easier access to the Malacca Straits.
- Malacca Straits is a narrow stretch of the sea between Indonesia and Malaysia and one of six chokepoints along the world’s maritime trading routes.
- A substantial chunk of the world’s good trade passes through the Malacca Straits.
- The vast majority of China’s imports of energy also passes through this straight.
- Therefore, developing the Sabang Port could bolster India’s military position vis-a-vis China in the Indian Ocean.
- The possible military use for Sabang spurred a flurry of speculation about the strategic uses of the port for India.
- This development comes amid growing interest in infrastructure development projects in Indonesia from Indian firms.
- Besides seeking opportunities in building Indonesia’s new capital Nusantara, Indian companies are also currently in talks to develop a port in Western Sumatra.
SOURCE: THE HINDU, THE ECONOMIC TIMES, PIB