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My article published on the IIRF website <\/span><\/p>\n on 14 Apr 25.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Nestled in the northeastern Bay of Bengal, Saint Martin\u2019s Island, known locally as Narikel Jinjira or Daruchini Dwip, is a small coral island spanning just three square kilometers. This unassuming landmass holds outsized geopolitical significance, located approximately nine kilometers south of Bangladesh\u2019s Cox\u2019s Bazar-Teknaf peninsula and eight kilometers west of Myanmar\u2019s northwest coast. Despite its modest size and population of around 3,700, the island\u2019s strategic location near critical maritime routes and its proximity to the Bangladesh-Myanmar maritime border have drawn the attention of regional and global powers, including the United States, China, India, and others.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Historical Context and Sovereignty<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Saint Martin\u2019s Island has a rich history intertwined with regional geopolitics. Millennia ago, it was an extension of the Teknaf peninsula, but rising sea levels submerged parts of the land, creating the island as it exists today. Named after Saint Martin by British colonial authorities in the 19th century, it was previously called Jazira by Arabian merchants who settled there in the 18th century. The island became part of British India in 1900, Pakistan after the 1947 partition, and Bangladesh following its independence in 1971. A 1974 agreement between Bangladesh and Myanmar, later affirmed by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) in 2012, solidified Bangladesh\u2019s sovereignty over the island, despite occasional tensions with Myanmar over maritime boundaries.<\/span><\/p>\n The island\u2019s economy is modest, primarily driven by fishing, rice cultivation, coconut farming, and seaweed harvesting. Tourism is gaining traction due to its pristine beaches and coral reefs. However, its strategic value far outweighs its economic contributions, making it a focal point in South Asian geopolitics.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Strategic Location in the Bay of Bengal<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Saint Martin\u2019s Island\u2019s location is its most defining asset. Situated near the mouth of the Naf River and close to the maritime boundary between Bangladesh and Myanmar, it lies at the crossroads of vital sea lanes in the Bay of Bengal. The bay is a critical maritime zone connecting the Indian Ocean with Southeast Asia and serving as a gateway to the Indo-Pacific. It hosts some of the world\u2019s busiest shipping routes, including those passing through the Strait of Malacca, a chokepoint for global trade, particularly for energy supplies. Control over Saint Martin\u2019s Island offers a vantage point for monitoring maritime traffic, conducting surveillance, and projecting naval power in this strategically significant region.<\/span><\/p>\n The island\u2019s proximity to the Matarbari Deepsea Port, currently under development in Bangladesh with Japanese investment, further amplifies its importance. The port is set to enhance Bangladesh\u2019s role in regional trade, and Saint Martin\u2019s Island could serve as a complementary outpost for securing maritime routes. Additionally, the island falls within Bangladesh\u2019s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), granting access to marine resources like fish, oil, and gas, which adds an economic dimension to its strategic value.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Environmental and Economic Significance<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Beyond its geopolitical role, Saint Martin\u2019s Island is an ecologically sensitive area. As Bangladesh\u2019s only coral island, it supports diverse marine life, including coral reefs, sea turtles, and various fish species. However, environmental degradation poses a threat\u2014studies estimate that 70% of its coral reefs were lost between 1980 and 2018 due to anthropogenic factors like overfishing and pollution. Conservation efforts are critical to preserving this biodiversity, which also underpins the island\u2019s tourism potential and fishing-based economy.<\/span><\/p>\n Tourism is a growing sector, with the island attracting visitors for its natural beauty and cultural heritage. However, a nine-month tourist restriction starting February 1, 2025, has been imposed to address environmental concerns and regional tensions, particularly with Myanmar. The island\u2019s isolation during the rainy season, when rough seas cut off access to the mainland, underscores its vulnerability and strategic significance as a self-contained outpost.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Interests of World Powers<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n The Bay of Bengal has emerged as a theater of great power competition, and Saint Martin\u2019s Island is a pawn in this geopolitical chessboard. The interests of major powers\u2014particularly the United States, China, and India\u2014stem from the region\u2019s growing importance in global trade and security.<\/span><\/p>\n United States<\/u>. The United States views the Bay of Bengal as a critical component of its Indo-Pacific Strategy, aimed at countering China\u2019s growing influence. Allegations by former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2024 suggested that the U.S. sought control over Saint Martin\u2019s Island to establish a military base or airbase, a claim denied by Washington. Such a presence would allow the U.S. to monitor Chinese naval activities, secure shipping lanes, and strengthen its strategic posture in the Indo-Pacific. The island\u2019s proximity to the Strait of Malacca makes it an ideal site for surveillance and power projection. While the U.S. has officially dismissed these claims, the island\u2019s strategic value aligns with its broader objectives, including partnerships like the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) with India, Japan, and Australia.<\/span><\/p>\n China<\/u>. China\u2019s expanding presence in the Indian Ocean, driven by its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), has heightened its interest in the Bay of Bengal. Beijing has invested heavily in regional infrastructure, including Bangladesh\u2019s Cox\u2019s Bazar port and a submarine base near Dhaka. Saint Martin\u2019s Island could be a strategic foothold for China to monitor maritime routes and counter U.S. and Indian influence. Reports of Chinese intelligence facilities on Myanmar\u2019s Coco Island, near the Strait of Malacca, underscore Beijing\u2019s ambitions in the region. Control over Saint Martin\u2019s Island would enhance China\u2019s ability to project power and secure its energy imports, which rely heavily on these sea lanes.<\/span><\/p>\n India<\/u>. As a regional power, India is vested in maintaining influence over the Bay of Bengal, which it considers part of its strategic backyard. Saint Martin\u2019s Island\u2019s proximity to India\u2019s Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a key military outpost, makes it a concern. India is wary of foreign powers\u2014particularly China or the U.S.\u2014establishing a presence on the island, which could undermine its regional dominance. New Delhi has supported Bangladesh\u2019s sovereignty over the island and provided economic and military assistance to counterbalance Chinese influence. Any foreign control over Saint Martin\u2019s Island could serve as a \u201ccheckpoint\u201d for India\u2019s maritime activities, heightening tensions.<\/span><\/p>\n Other Actors<\/u>. Myanmar\u2019s proximity to Saint Martin\u2019s Island has led to occasional tensions, including cross-border firing and disputes over maritime boundaries. The ongoing conflict in Myanmar\u2019s Rakhine State, involving the Arakan Army, has spilled over into the island\u2019s waters, raising security concerns for Bangladesh. Japan\u2019s investment in the Matarbari port also reflects its interest in the region\u2019s economic potential, which is indirectly tied to the island\u2019s strategic location.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Geopolitical Tensions and Allegations.<\/u> Saint Martin\u2019s Island has been at the center of political controversies in Bangladesh. Sheikh Hasina\u2019s 2024 claims that her ouster was linked to U.S. pressure over the island sparked widespread debate. She alleged that foreign powers sought to lease or control the island, a narrative her son later disputed. These accusations reflect the island\u2019s role as a lightning rod for sovereignty, foreign influence, and regional security discussions.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Conclusion<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Saint Martin\u2019s Island may be small, but its strategic location in the Bay of Bengal makes it a coveted prize for world powers. Its proximity to vital maritime routes, economic potential, and environmental significance amplify its importance in a region of great power competition. The United States, China, and India, among others, recognise the island\u2019s value as a potential outpost for surveillance, power projection, and securing trade routes. For Bangladesh, maintaining sovereignty over Saint Martin\u2019s Island is a matter of national pride and a strategic necessity. As geopolitical tensions rise in the Indo-Pacific, this tiny coral gem will likely remain a focal point of intrigue and contestation, underscoring the complex interplay of power, sovereignty, and strategy in the modern world.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Please Add Value to the write-up with your views on the subject.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n