---
title: "Will China ever claim Andaman and Nicobar Island?"  
description: "Will China ever claim Andaman and Nicobar Island?"  
author: "Sanjay Goenka"  
published: 2022-10-04  
canonical: https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/98465/will-china-ever-claim-andaman-and-nicobar-island  
category: "china relationship"  
tags: ["china relationship"]  
reading_time: 3 minutes  

---

# Will China ever claim Andaman and Nicobar Island?

Will [China](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/12994/how-foreigners-can-access-blocked-websites-in-china) ever claim Andaman and Nicobar [Island](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/view/81309/china-japan-relations-in-island-dispute)?

## Answers

### Answer by Subhamay Ganai

The [**Andaman and Nicobar Islands**](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/98465/will-china-ever-claim-andaman-and-nicobar-island)are located in the [**Indian Ocean**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Ocean), off the coast of Myanmar. The archipelago consists of **572 islands,** of which only **36 are inhabited**. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, and are a popular tourist destination.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have been under Indian control since the **18th century**. However, there have been a number of territorial disputes between India and China over the islands. In the early 20th century, the islands were claimed by both **Britain and** [**Japan**](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/93100/who-is-the-new-prime-minister-of-japan). After World War II, the islands were placed under Indian administration.

In recent years, there has been increased Chinese activity in the Indian Ocean, including the construction of a military base in Djibouti. This has led to concerns that China may be seeking to establish a presence in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

In November 2018, it was reported that the Chinese navy had carried out live-fire exercises in the vicinity of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The Chinese navy has also been spotted in the Bay of Bengal, close to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

**There are a number of reasons why China may be interested in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.**

**First and foremost,** the islands are strategic location. They are situated in the middle of the Indian Ocean, and they would give China a great deal of control over the shipping lanes in the region.

**In addition**, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are home to a large number of natural resources, including oil and gas reserves. These resources could be used to help fuel China's rapidly growing economy.

**Finally**, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are also home to a large number of Indian military bases. These bases could be used to launch attacks on India, or they could be used to defend China in the event of a war.

![Will China ever claim Andaman and Nicobar Island?](https://answers.mindstick.com/questionanswer/c575765b-3b5b-4df5-96fe-61586ea3d420/images/fdfe92b6-f794-4ed0-84b6-9d01bdeb1883.jpg)

The Indian government has taken a number of steps to bolster its presence in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. In 2017, the Indian Navy commissioned its first indigenously built aircraft carrier, the **Vikramaditya**. The Indian Air Force has also increased its presence in the region, with the induction of the Su-30MKI fighter jets.

However, it remains to be seen whether China will make a move to claim the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. While the Chinese navy has increased its activity in the region, it is not clear whether this is part of a broader strategy to assert Chinese sovereignty over the islands.


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Original Source: https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/98465/will-china-ever-claim-andaman-and-nicobar-island

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