India's Great Nicobar: Why Island 74km From Malacca Worries China | Taiwan Talks EP903

India is transforming Great Nicobar Island into a major maritime and military hub, betting that its strategic location near the Strait of Malacca will strengthen its security and its role in the Indo-Pacific. The multi-billion US dollar project includes a deep-water transshipment port, a dual-use airport and expanded military infrastructure, giving India a stronger presence near one of the world's busiest shipping lanes. The development has also drawn attention in China, where prominent analysts warn that India's growing capabilities could deepen Beijing's "Malacca Dilemma" by increasing the vulnerability of China's vital energy and trade routes. Is Great Nicobar primarily an economic development project — or a strategic counterweight to China's expanding influence across the Indian Ocean? In this episode, we examine why the island matters, how it could reshape the regional balance of power and what it means for China, Taiwan and the wider Indo-Pacific region.

*Recorded on August 6, 2026 at 4pm Taiwan Standard Time

Host/Senior Producer: Yin Khvat
Producer: Suvam Pal
Videographer: Celest Kao

Our guests:

S. B. Asthana
- Retired Indian Army Major General
Roger Chifeng Liu
- Taiwan Thinktank DIMEs Center Comprehensive Diplomacy Team Director
Hindol Sengupta
- O. P. Jindal Global University Jindal School of International Affairs (JSIA) Executive Dean and Jindal India Institute (JII) Director

Chapters:
00:00:00 – India Unveils Big Nicobar Investments
00:03:04 – Is India Complicating China’s Plans?
00:09:26 – New Delhi Builds Dual-Use Infrastructure





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