India plans to build a new naval base off the country’s south-west coast and close to the Maldives, a move amid rising tensions between Delhi and the island nation.

The Indian Navy plans to construct INS Jatayu on Minicoy, the southernmost island in the Lakshadweep archipelago, approximately 80 miles north of the Maldives.

The base will enhance operational reach, facilitate anti-piracy and anti-narcotics operations in the Western Arabian Sea, and enhance the Indian Navy’s capability as the first responder in the region.

The base is part of a policy to gradually augment security infrastructure at strategically important islands.

Since the election of Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu last year, tensions between India and the Maldives have heightened.

Muizzu visited China ahead of India and defended the Maldives’ small size, a response to calls for tourists to boycott the country.

Three Maldives deputy ministers made derogatory posts about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, leading to their suspension.

In February, Muizzu requested India to replace military personnel operating humanitarian service planes in the Maldives with civilian technical staff.