Port Blair: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have the potential to be a springboard for India`s engagement with South East Asia and Indo-Pacific and developed as a shipping and tourist hub, President Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday said.
Speaking at the Netaji stadium here, the President said the Islands lie at the important junction of South Asia and South East Asia.
The islands are not only the maritime gateway to the Bay of Bengal but also overlook major international sea routes, he said.
"These islands have the potential to be a springboard for India?s engagement with South East Asia and the Indo Pacific region. They can be developed as a significant trading, shipping and tourist hub", he said.
Assuring governments support to the people, the President said the goal is to promote sustainable and inclusive growth while being sensitive to the fragile eco system and concerns of the indigenous tribes.
Mukherjee said the islands "are the home to some of our most precious tribal communities who are equal partners in the nations progress through modernization."
"Progress must come to the Andaman and Nicobar islands but it must come with deference to the people, their traditions and the ecology," he said.
`
He further said "the beautiful territory may be 1200 km from mainland India but it truly represents a `mini India` - with settlers from various parts of the country as also our indigenous tribes".
It exemplifies the principle of unity in diversity, he said.
