Indira Point — Southernmost Tip of India

Name: Indira Point Earlier name: Pygmalion Point Renamed after: Prime Minister Indira Gandhi Location: Great Nicobar Island, Andaman and Nicobar Islands (UT) Coordinates: approximately 6°45'N, 93°49'E Significance: Southernmost point of India

Geographic Context: • Great Nicobar Island is the southernmost and largest island of the Nicobar group • Indira Point is approximately 150 km from the northern tip of Sumatra (Indonesia) • This is the closest land point of India to the equator • The Andaman and Nicobar Islands lie in the Bay of Bengal, southeast of mainland India

2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami: • Indira Point was severely affected by the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami (26 December 2004) • The lighthouse at Indira Point was submerged/damaged; the island's land level changed • Many lives were lost in the Nicobar Islands due to the tsunami

Northernmost Point of India: • Indira Col (Sia La) — in the Siachen Glacier area, Ladakh — approximately 37°6'N • This is the northernmost point of the Indian territory as claimed

Extreme Points of India:

Note on Mainland India: • Southernmost point of mainland India: Cape Comorin (Kanyakumari), Tamil Nadu — approximately 8°4'N • Indira Point (6°45'N) is the actual southernmost point of India (including islands)

About Great Nicobar Island: • Largest island in the Nicobar group • Biosphere Reserve: Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve (UNESCO) • Tribes: Shompen and Nicobarese • India is developing a major port and naval base at Great Nicobar Island (strategic importance near Malacca Strait)