For decades, the tiny archipelago north of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands was a footnote on regional maps. Known in reports as the Coco Islands, today it is widely called Koko Islands. This Myanmar-controlled chain has returned to the spotlight. Are its new facilities for Myanmar alone, or is China quietly extending its “eyes and ears” into India’s maritime backyard?
What Changed — and Why It Matters
Satellite images from 2023 showed major upgrades on Great Koko Island. Media reports suggest it could be part of a Koko Islands China base. The images show a 2,300-metre runway, new hangars, accommodation blocks, and a causeway linking nearby islets.
Analysts say the scale goes beyond local maintenance. These facilities can support transport and surveillance missions, making them important for India’s planners.
Geography adds to the concern. The Koko Islands lie less than 100 km from India’s northernmost Andaman Islands, home to key Indian naval assets. Any radar or signals station here could track missile tests, monitor submarines, and complicate India’s operations in the Bay of Bengal. Even small upgrades matter strategically.
Are the Chinese Actually in the Koko Islands?
This question drives much of the debate. New Delhi has confronted Myanmar using satellite images and intelligence reports showing possible Chinese help in modernizing Great Coco Island. Myanmar and China deny these claims.
Some experts say the upgrades may serve Myanmar alone. Others note a pattern of Chinese involvement in ports and facilities across the Indian Ocean, raising suspicion.
In October 2025, Myanmar’s junta told India’s defense secretary that no Chinese nationals were on the Koko Islands. But India’s request to inspect the island went unanswered. Public denials with no inspections have increased India’s concerns.
How Plausible Is a Listening Post?
Building a runway and hangars does not automatically mean a spy base exists. But the details matter. A runway long enough for transport or surveillance aircraft, visible radar installations, and expanded quarters could host extended operations. Satellite images from Maxar have drawn attention from think tanks and defense analysts worldwide.
The Wider Pattern: China’s Indian Ocean Footprint
Seen alone, activity on Great Coco Island could have many explanations. Seen in context, it fits China’s Indian Ocean strategy. The upgrades align with Beijing’s ports and corridors from Sri Lanka’s Hambantota to Pakistan’s Gwadar and the China Myanmar Economic Corridor. Together, these developments change Bay of Bengal security and India’s maritime posture.
What India Is Doing (and What It Isn’t)
New Delhi has not considered military action publicly. Instead, officials are taking measured steps in India Myanmar relations. These include diplomatic protests, radar coverage expansion from the Andaman and Nicobar defense network, and monitoring the Great Coco Island airstrip via satellite.
The Unknowns and Why They Matter
Two facts stand out: (1) satellite images show major construction on Great Coco Island, and (2) Myanmar denies Chinese presence while blocking Indian inspection. Visible upgrades plus limited transparency keep the possibility of foreign surveillance alive. Only an onsite, independent inspection can remove doubts.
Bottom Line
The Koko Islands are more than a map label. They sit at the intersection of China’s Indian Ocean strategy, India Myanmar relations, and Bay of Bengal security. Whether the upgrades mark a Koko Islands China base or a Myanmar-led project, their impact reaches India’s most sensitive maritime corridors.
Sources: The Guardians, The Diplomat
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