Great Nicobar project meant to benefit Adani, it’s not about defence: Rahul Gandhi

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In this image posted on June 5, 2026, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi rides a scooter during a visit to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. | Photo Credit: PTI

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday (June 5, 2026) alleged that the BJP’s claim that the Great Nicobar Island project is a strategic one is a “lie”, aimed at helping industrialist Gautam Adani.

On World Environment Day, Mr. Gandhi launched an online petition, inviting citizens to join the campaign which read: “we choose green over greed”.

Releasing a 16-minute video based on his visit to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in April, Mr. Gandhi alleged that the Centre’s proposed mega-development project in Great Nicobar would lead to large-scale ecological destruction and displacement of local communities while primarily serving private commercial interests. The project involves building a transhipment hub, an airport and a tourist township.

“The Modi government and the BJP tell you the Great Nicobar project is about defence. It is not,” Mr. Gandhi said in the video, titled ‘This is what Modi doesn’t want you to see’. He argued that if strategic considerations were paramount, the government should expand INS Baaz, the naval air station located in the Nicobar Islands, a move that the Congress would fully support.

“The Navy has been asking for expansion for five years. If you want to make a military argument, expand INS Baaz. There is no need to destroy rainforests for that,” he said, adding, “INS Baaz is also on the coast. The point is that they want to help Mr. Adani and these criminals are hiding behind the Navy, behind the forces, to steal Indian land. They are saying they want to build a transshipment port, but it is a non-starter as they are already building a port in Kerala, which is on the mainland so that is the first lie.”

Alleging that the project was intended to facilitate large-scale commercial development, including hotels and casinos, he said more than 1.5 crore trees, ancient rainfores