During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s event-packed itinerary across southern states, he took one halt at Lakshadweep on Tuesday, chaired a review meeting on various aspects relating to the islands, and on Wednesday, laid the foundation stone for projects worth Rs 1,150 crore.
This was his first trip in the new year and the beginning of the BJP's 'Mission South' ahead of elections.
Marvelling at Lakshadweep's scenic beauty, PM Modi pitched the archipelago as a must-visit for adventurers.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also inaugurated the Kochi-Lakshadweep Islands Submarine Optical Fiber Connection (KLI-SOFC) project in Kavaratti, Lakshadweep, along with various developmental projects totaling over Rs 1,150 crore across technology, energy, water resources, healthcare, and education sectors. The KLI-SOFC initiative marks a historic milestone as Lakshadweep is connected through a Submarine Optic Fiber Cable for the first time since independence.
Strategic Importance of Lakshwdeep
This visit come amid when the Bharatiy Janata Party are growing their activities on territories that are strategically significant.
For unreserved the Lakshadweep is considered particularly vital due to the increased Chinese engagement in its neighbours Sri Lanka and Maldives.Given the strategic importance of Lakshadweep, the government is also considering an Air Force station in the UT.
On November 18 last year, the Maldives - headed by newly-elected President Mohamed Muizzu - formally requested India to withdraw its military presence from the island nation. Muizzu asserted that he was firmly committed to ensuring that his country stays "free" of any "foreign military presence" to preserve its independence and sovereignty. In December 2023, the Maldivian President announced that India had agreed to withdraw its military forces.
China and Muizzu's party enjoy good ties, with the former's influence in the island nation becoming visible in the past few years. As many as 10 islands in the Maldives have been leased to China and the latter is also reportedly stationing ships there and conducting military operations on a large scale.
Besides, the Prime Minister's push for Lakshadweep as an island destination among travellers could also be seen as a counter to Maldives.
Moreover, through the internal politics, BJP is seeing Lakshadweep as crucial gateway to the southern state, epesially Kerala.
The Kerala mainland is the closest territory to Lakshadweep, and the UT is dependent on it for most of its needs. The people of the two territories have close social and cultural links, and Malayalam is the most common language spoken on the islands.
It was the second time the PM was visiting Lakshadweep. The first time was in December 2017, when Modi chaired a high-level meeting at Kavaratti to review the situation after Cyclone Ockhi hit the area.
MUSLIM VOTERS
During his address in Lakshadweep, PM Modi reached out to the Muslims of the archipelago, who dominate the population of the region. He spoke about steps adopted by his BJP government for Haj Yatris that have benefited the people of Lakshadweep. The Prime Minister also noted that the ease of Haj visa and digitisation of the process and permission for women to go on Haj without 'Mehram' have resulted in a remarkable increase in the number of Indians going for 'Umrah'.