ABSTRACT India’s Andaman and Nicobar Islands (ANI) sits astride the critical Sea Lanes of Communication and are in close proximity to the Strait of Malacca, which is central for the energy requirements of most East Asian countries. However, because of its fragile ecosystem and the protective policies which have been governing it through the major part of the post-independence period, the development of ANI has been considerably restricted. Against this backdrop, the article intends to evaluate the potential of the Islands to improve connectivity with other Bay littoral countries. This potential will be examined through – first, physical linkages and the attendant strategic concerns; and second, the possibility of tapping into the Islands' humanitarian assistance and disaster relief outreach capacity. Accordingly the key thrusts of the paper will be on the emerging potential of the ANI in boosting the country’s connectivity, strategic outreach, and prowess in providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

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安达曼和尼科巴群岛：促进印度在孟加拉湾的连通性

摘要 印度的安达曼和尼科巴群岛 (ANI) 横跨重要的海上交通通道，靠近马六甲海峡，马六甲海峡是大多数东亚国家能源需求的中心。然而，由于其脆弱的生态系统和在独立后的大部分时间里一直对其进行治理的保护政策，ANI 的发展受到了相当大的限制。在此背景下，本文打算评估群岛在改善与其他海湾沿岸国家的连通性方面的潜力。将通过以下方式检查这种潜力：首先，物理联系和随之而来的战略问题；第二，利用群岛的人道主义援助和救灾外展能力的可能性。