Dweep Tulika

New Delhi | August 27, 2026 A fresh confrontation has emerged between India and a United Nations human-rights watchdog over the proposed development of Great Nicobar Island , with the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) calling for suspension of the projects pending independent assessments, while the Government of India has rejected the committee's observations as “politically motivated” and “highly malicious.” The development has brought the long-running debate over the Great Nicobar infrastructure project back into the national spotlight, placing Indigenous rights, environmental concerns and India's development priorities at the centre of the discussion. In its concluding observations on India, CERD expressed concern over the potential impact of major infrastructure and development projects on Indigenous and tribal communities. With regard to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the committee recommended that India suspend implementation of the pr...

Congress has sought detailed clarification from the Centre on the proposed International Container Transhipment Port at Great Nicobar, raising questions on ownership, private participation and transparency.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has said that the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are no longer a remote region and are set to play an important role in India's journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047 . Addressing a gathering comprising professionals, business leaders, senior citizens, women, youth and BJP leaders during his visit to the islands, Rijiju emphasized the importance of direct interaction between policymakers and society. He noted that while digital communication has become widespread, face-to-face engagement remains essential for understanding local concerns and strengthening public participation. Speaking about the transformation of remote regions, Rijiju said areas such as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Northeast and border regions were once viewed as distant from the country's mainstream development process. According to him, improved transportation, internet connectivity and digital infrastructure have significantly changed that perception over t...

Development, Strategy and Ecological Concerns Sri Vijaya Puram | May 30, 2026  A remote island. A mega infrastructure project worth over ₹70,000 crore. A location close to one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes. And a debate that continues to intensify across strategic, environmental and public circles. Great Nicobar , once known primarily for its dense rainforests, biodiversity and indigenous communities, is now emerging at the centre of one of India’s most ambitious development visions. The proposed Great Nicobar Project includes a transshipment port, international airport, power infrastructure, township development and connectivity expansion aimed at transforming the island into a major maritime and logistics hub in the Indian Ocean region . Supporters of the project describe it as a strategic opportunity for India. They argue that the project could strengthen India’s maritime presence near the Malacca Strait , reduce dependence on foreign transshipment hubs such as S...