BJP leader claims Jawaharlal Nehru gifted Coco Islands to Myanmar, which is now under China’s direct control
Island
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Bishnu Pada Ray, has claimed that the country's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru had gifted Coco Island to Myanmar. The island group is located in the Bay of Bengal almost 300 kilometres south of the Burmese mainland. It was part of the Northern Andaman Islands.
Ray, who is the Lok Sabha candidate from Andaman and Nicobar Islands while speaking to the news agency ANI said, "The Congress has always harboured anti-India sentiments. Nehru gifted the Coco Islands, which were part of the Northern Andaman Islands, to Myanmar, which is currently under China's direct control."
He further claimed, "Today, the central government is constructing a shipyard, and two defence airports to counter China in Campbell Bay, which is also known as Indira Point." The BJP leader said that the Indian National Congress (INC) did not worry about the islands when they were in power.
The islands are a group of five islands, four on the Great Coco Reef and one more island on the Little Coco Reef. They officially became part of Myanmar when it was freed from the British in 1948. However, it became a major concern for India when Myanmar leased the island to the People's Republic of China.
Chinese influence on Coco Island
Last year, satellite images taken by Maxar Technologies showed new construction activity on and around Myanmar's Coco Islands in the northeastern Bay of Bengal. The islands have reportedly been witnessing military modernisation, which can be seen as a part of China's growing influence in South Asia and the Indian Ocean region.
The latest militarisation could pose a significant security challenge to India. Such military construction might impact India's strategic interests in the region as it poses a security challenge to India and its navy.
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Katchatheevu island controversy
The issue emerged amid ongoing controversy over Katchatheevu island as it was revealed last month after a Right To Information (RTI) that the Congress government led by then prime minister Indira Gandhi handed over Katchatheevu island to Sri Lanka in 1974.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also mentioned it, stating that Indira Gandhi's action had "angered" the people. In a post on social media platform X, PM Modi said, "Eye-opening and startling! New facts reveal how Congress callously gave away #Katchatheevu. This has angered every Indian and reaffirmed in people's minds—we can't ever trust Congress! (sic). Weakening India's unity, integrity and interests has been Congress' way of working for 75 years and counting."
(With inputs from agencies)