Why India Needs Bases in Indian Ocean Region

India has commissioned a new naval base in Minicoy, Lakshwadeep. This follows the inauguration of an airstrip and a jetty on Agaléga, Mauritius. India has also commissioned INS Baaz under the Andaman and Nicobar Command. So what’s driving this spree of naval base building? And what’s the strategic importance of the Indian Ocean for India? News9 decodes.