Transnational Crimes in the Andaman Sea
Indian Council of World Affairs
“The Andaman Sea, bounded by the coastlines of Myanmar in the north, Thailand and Malaysia in the east and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the west, connects the Bay of Bengal to the Strait of Malacca, making it a crucial trade route. India’s only tri-service command, present in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, grants India a forward presence near the Strait of Malacca and facilitates maritime surveillance in the region and beyond. While the Andaman Sea is strategically located to enhance maritime trade, it is a vulnerable region exploited by non-state actors. It has become a hub for transnational crimes like drug trafficking, irregular migration, arms smuggling, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and cyber-crimes.”
“Recognising the strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific, India has strengthened its efforts through the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME) in 2023, the India-ASEAN Maritime Security Dialogue, and joint exercises with Malaysia and Thailand. The tri-service Andaman and Nicobar Command facilitates maritime cooperation with Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka through joint naval exercises, coordinated patrols, and maritime domain awareness initiatives to address asymmetrical security concerns in these waters.”
https://www.icwa.in/show_content.php?lang=1&level=3&ls_id=13309&lid=8116