Prime Minister Modi, who visited Mauritius, signed various agreements between the two countries. Why is India giving so much importance to Mauritius? Let’s see a news collection on how India is helping to improve the security of Mauritius.
Mauritius is an important island nation in the western Indian Ocean. The total population of this island is 1.2 million. Of this, about 70 percent are from India, and it is noteworthy that half of them are Hindus. This shows a unique connection and bond between the two countries.
In 1948, Mauritius was one of the first few countries with which independent India established diplomatic relations. Interestingly, Mauritius’ National Day, March 12, also shows the Indian connection. In 1901, Mahatma Gandhi stayed in Mauritius on his way to India from South Africa.
Mahatma Gandhi urged Indian workers in Mauritius to follow three promises. These are education, political empowerment and maintaining ties with India. Even today, Mauritius is following through on its promises to Mahatma Gandhi. That is why Mauritius celebrates its National Day every year on the day of the Dandi March as a tribute to Gandhi.
Prime Minister Modi, who was the guest of honour at this year’s Mauritius National Day, told India that Mauritius is not just an ally. It is a part of the Indian family and that Mauritius is a bridge connecting India to the wider global South. He also said that India always stands with Mauritius, be it in investment, infrastructure, trade or security challenges.
This is the second visit of Prime Minister Modi to Mauritius after 2015. In 2015, Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Mauritius resulted in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to improve transport facilities on the island of Akalaka. He was also conferred with Mauritius’ highest award.
The agreement, which aims to enhance maritime and air connectivity and strengthen the capabilities of the security forces, is also for public use. The Indian-built frigate MCGS Barracuda was handed over to the Mauritius National Coast Guard.
In 2016, the Mauritius Coast Guard acquired ten 14.5-metre Fast Interceptor Boats (FIBs) from Indian shipbuilder Goa Shipyards Limited. In 2017, two Indian-built CGS Valiant waterjet patrol boats were commissioned into the Mauritius Coast Guard.
Akalega Island is located 1,100 kilometres north of Mauritius, off the southern coast of India. The island has been a hotbed of illegal activities such as illegal fishing, piracy, terrorism, and drug trafficking.
In February 2024, Prime Minister Modi and the then Prime Minister of Mauritius, Jugnauth, jointly inaugurated a new airstrip and a port on the island. This cooperation also helps in monitoring Mauritius’s 2.3 million square kilometer exclusive economic zone. This has improved Mauritius’ maritime security.
The National Coast Guard of Mauritius was provided with C-139 interceptor boats with onboard equipment. In 2022, Mauritius joined the Colombo Security Conference, an initiative by India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives to enhance maritime security cooperation.
In 2021, India and Mauritius signed the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA). This is the first trade agreement that India has signed with an African country.
Mauritius has a long history of close trade relations with India. India has extended a line of credit of US$ 100 million to Mauritius.
India and Mauritius are working together in space research. For this, the two countries have entered into a long-term agreement on space cooperation. In November 2023, the two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop a joint satellite.
The Indian Ocean region has become a place of geopolitical competition. Various countries are trying to exert their influence in the Indian Ocean. In particular, European countries, Gulf countries, Russia, Iran and Turkey are expanding their influence in the Indian Ocean.
In recent times, China’s dominance in the Indian Ocean region has increased. India aims to work harmoniously with Mauritius to counter China’s influence.
As part of this, India has been assisting Mauritius in various development projects. India has provided assistance worth nearly US$ 1.1 billion to Mauritius in the last decade.
India has been the first to lend a helping hand to Mauritius during times of crisis, including the Covid-19 pandemic, the Wakashio oil spill crisis and Cyclone Sidhu.
In line with his promise to lead the Global South, Prime Minister Modi is putting an end to China’s dominance in the Indian Ocean region, say political experts.
Discussion about this post