The news agency ANI reported, citing government sources, that India is now planning to develop a new airport at Minicoy Island in Lakshadweep, which would accommodate both military and civilian aircraft. This development comes amid diplomatic tensions between Maldives and India over remarks made disparaging Prime Minister Narendra Modi. According to official sources cited by ANI, there are plans to establish a combined airstrip that could handle commercial aircraft, military transport planes, and fighter jets.
The decision to establish a joint-use airfield for defense and civilians is the most recent in the resurrected plan, it added, but the proposal to build a new airfield in the Minicoy islands has also been pushed back in the past.
By developing the airstrip, the decision hopes to boost tourism in the union territory of Lakshadweep and bolster monitoring capabilities over the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean region. The Indian Coast Guard made the initial suggestion for the airfield's development. According to the present proposal, operations will be led by the Indian Air Force (IAF) out of the Minicoy airstrip.
According to official plans, once the airport is operational, it would improve the monitoring capabilities of the armed forces and promote tourism in the surrounding area. There is now only one airfield on the island of Agatti, which limits the range of aircraft that may be used.
Three Maldivian leaders—Malsha Shareef, Mariyam Shiuna, and Abdulla Mahzoom Majid—started a diplomatic spat by disparaging Prime Minister Narendra Modi and making fun of his most recent trip to Lakshadweep. India brought up the issue with Male in a strong manner, and the leaders of the island nation's opposition criticized the ruling class for the disagreement.
PM Modi visited the union territory on January 2 and posted a number of photos, including one of him swimming, which he described as a "exhilarating experience." Since then, the island area has become a hot topic of conversation and interest.
