Islands of India: Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep

India's total coastline stretches 7,516 km, and along this coastline lie 1,382 islands. These are classified into two main groups based on their location. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands lie in the Bay of Bengal to the southeast of the Indian mainland, while Lakshadweep lies in the Arabian Sea to the southwest. Both are Union Territories administered directly by the Central Government. Apart from these two major groups, India also has several smaller islands along its mainland coasts, including Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh, Elephanta Island in Maharashtra, and Majuli in Assam (a river island in the Brahmaputra).

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a group of 572 islands located in the Bay of Bengal. They are geographically closer to Myanmar (Burma) and Thailand than to mainland India. The Andaman group has about 324 islands and the Nicobar group has 19 main islands. The capital is Port Blair. The largest island in India, Middle Andaman, is part of this group. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are separated from each other by the Ten Degree Channel. These islands were historically used as a British colonial prison — the Cellular Jail in Port Blair is a national monument. The islands are rich in biodiversity with tropical rainforests.

Lakshadweep is a group of 36 islands located in the Arabian Sea about 200–440 km off the coast of Kerala. Only 10 of these 36 islands are inhabited. The total land area is only about 32 sq km, making Lakshadweep the smallest Union Territory in India. The capital is Kavaratti. The islands are coral atolls — low-lying islands formed from coral reefs. The population is predominantly Muslim and speaks Malayalam. Lakshadweep is known for its clear blue lagoons, white sand beaches, and rich marine biodiversity. Minicoy is the southernmost and second largest island of Lakshadweep.

Several important geographical facts relate to India's islands. The southernmost point of India is Indira Point, located on Great Nicobar Island in the Andaman and Nicobar group. This point is only about 150 km from the Aceh province of Indonesia. The Palk Strait separates mainland India from Sri Lanka, and in this strait lies Pamban Island (Rameswaram), which is connected to mainland India by the Pamban Bridge. India's only active volcano, Barren Island, is located in the Andaman Sea. Narcondam Island is another volcanic island in the Andamans, though its volcano is dormant.

India's islands have significant strategic, economic, and ecological value. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands guard the eastern sea lanes of communication between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean and South China Sea. INS Baaz, India's first naval air station in the Andamans, monitors these vital sea routes. Economically, both island groups support fishing, tourism, and coconut cultivation. Lakshadweep's coconut and coir industry is important for its economy. The islands' coral reefs and marine ecosystems are protected under various wildlife regulations. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands were severely affected by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.