Saint Martin’s Island: Tiny Coral Isle Turns into Geopolitical Hotspot

Tanvir Rusmat: Dhaka, October 5, 2025 

Saint Martin’s Island, Bangladesh’s only coral island, is fast turning into a sensitive node in Bay of Bengal geopolitics. Once known mainly as a pristine tourist destination, it is now at the heart of concerns over sovereignty, regional rivalries, and national security.

Barely eight square kilometers in size, the island lies just nine kilometers south of Teknaf. Despite its modest footprint, its position strengthens Bangladesh’s claim over its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and provides a vantage point for maritime surveillance. Security analyst Maj Gen (retd) Abdur Rashid noted that losing grip over the island would deal a “severe strategic setback” to Bangladesh. “It is not just a coral island but a maritime outpost that must be safeguarded,” he told with the news media.

St. Martin’s has already been a source of friction with Myanmar, which once contested Bangladesh’s maritime boundaries. Though the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) resolved the issue in 2012, tensions resurface periodically when Bangladeshi fishermen are accused of crossing into disputed waters. The island’s proximity to strategic sea lanes also heightens its importance to India, China, and the United States — each wary of the other’s growing footprint in the Bay of Bengal. Dhaka University professor Dr Dilara Chowdhury observed, “Bangladesh must carefully balance ties with all three powers. The situation may look calm now, but it can shift very quickly.”

Former prime minister Sheikh Hasina has on several occasions voiced concern that foreign powers showed interest in setting up facilities on the island. She described such attempts as a direct threat to Bangladesh’s sovereignty. Political parties and commentators, however, have often dismissed these claims differently. Some termed them “diplomatic drama,” while others viewed them as legitimate warnings about the risks to the nation’s security and legal control.

Beyond geopolitics, St. Martin’s is home to rare coral ecosystems, marine life, and natural beauty that draws thousands of tourists each year. Authorities recently moved to restrict tourism for nine months of the year in an effort to curb environmental degradation. Environmental researcher Dr Mohammad Ali said, “If ecological collapse sets in, Bangladesh will lose both a natural jewel and a strategic asset. Tourism policies must align with security priorities.”

Analysts argue that Bangladesh’s immediate priority should be to enhance its naval and coast guard capabilities to strengthen maritime surveillance. Regional cooperation against piracy, smuggling, and illegal fishing is also seen as crucial. At the same time, striking a careful balance in foreign policy — without compromising sovereignty — remains a delicate challenge. As Dr Dilara Chowdhury put it, “The island may be small, but its political and strategic weight is far bigger than its size.” St. Martin’s Island today represents more than coral reefs and sandy beaches. It is a test of Bangladesh’s ability to defend its maritime sovereignty, manage big-power rivalries, and protect its environment — all at once. For Dhaka, the task is to ensure the tiny isle does not become a fault line in the Bay of Bengal.