The 13 September 2002 North Andaman earthquake (Ms 6.8) that caused moderate damages in the onshore region, appears to be a significant event in the chain of ongoing seismicity of this region. Epicentral location, relatively shallow focus and the faulting mechanism of this earthquake are suggestive of its association with the down-dip extension of the subduction interface. Our evaluation of the regional seismicity indicates that the recent spurt of activity may represent a peak in the progressive stick-slip deformation in the Andaman arc. Perhaps, this region has entered into a renewed phase of stress build-up, after decades of post-seismic relaxation subsequent to the 1941 (M > 8) earthquake. Another intriguing question is whether the increased volcanic activity of early nineties in the nearby Barren Island was a consequence of post-1941 stress diffusion. The global data suggest a 50-year correlation between very large earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, which seems feasible for this region. The Andaman arc offers a perfect setting to validate many assumptions on earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis.