Today’s Developments on North Sentinel Island (August 20, 2025

India’s long-standing policy of non-interference continues. Today, no new incidents or unauthorized approaches to North Sentinel Island were reported. The Indian Navy and Andaman and Nicobar Police continued to monitor the exclusion zone. This zone keeps vessels and aircraft at least five nautical miles away from the island. It helps protect the isolation and health of the Sentinelese people.

Background: North Sentinel Island is part of India’s Andaman and Nicobar archipelago. It is home to the Sentinelese, one of the last uncontacted Stone Age tribes. The Andaman and Nicobar Protection of Aboriginal Tribes Act, 1956, bans anyone from getting within three nautical miles (five kilometers) of the island. This is to protect the tribe from outside diseases and to honor their wish to stay uncontacted.

**Monitoring Operations** – The Indian Navy regularly patrols the air and sea around North Sentinel Island. This helps stop illegal fishing, tourist landings, and missionary activities. – – The Andaman and Nicobar Police carry out remote surveillance. They use long-range cameras and binoculars from assigned vessels and helicopters.

No Violations or Incidents Reported – Today, there were no unauthorized landings, vessel drift-offs, or air incursions in the exclusion zone. – – No fishermen or tourists were seen trying to reach the island’s shores.

Continued Protection Efforts India’s government affirms its commitment to the Sentinelese by:

Enforcing strict no-contact regulations.
Resisting external pressures to open the island for research or tourism.
Conducting regular patrols to ensure the tribe’s voluntary isolation remains intact.

New Delhi’s measures help the Sentinelese keep their ancient way of life safe. They protect them from foreign germs and outside influences.