Port Blair, January 14: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Monday watched a joint amphibious exercise off the Campbell Bay coast, the southern-most island of the nation, which saw participation of the three armed forces. Andaman and Nicobar is an Integrated Services Command.

"Smt @nsitharaman inspects Joint Amphibious Exercise by Integrated Service Command, ANC off the Campbell Bay coast, the southern most island of the nation," the defence minister's official twitter handle tweeted. Is Nirmala Sitharaman's Daughter in the Indian Air Force? Defence Ministry Clears Air on Fake News.

Andaman and Nicobar archipelago is straddled strategically near the mouth of the Malacca Straits. The Malacca Straits is also an important sea lane of communication and is used by navies of several countries, including China which has been stepping up its military infrastructure in the Indian Ocean region. Sitharaman also reviewed the presentation made by senior officials of the Andaman and Nicobar Command.