India and Mauritius Forge Enhanced Strategic Partnership to Safeguard Indian Ocean Region Interests
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Synopsis
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mauritius PM Navinchandra Ramgoolam have declared an Enhanced Strategic Partnership following extensive talks, highlighting their unique bilateral relationship and commitment to safeguarding interests in the Indian Ocean Region through cooperation in defense, maritime security, and various sectors.
Key Takeaways
- India-Mauritius partnership elevated to Enhanced Strategic Partnership.
- Focus on defense and maritime security cooperation.
- Commitment to safeguarding Indian Ocean Region interests.
- Emphasis on infrastructure and technology collaboration.
- Support for ongoing development projects in Mauritius.
Port Louis, March 12 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mauritius PM Navinchandra Ramgoolam on Wednesday conveyed satisfaction over their extensive discussions regarding the full spectrum of bilateral relations, agreeing that their special partnership has gained significant strategic depth, now elevated to an Enhanced Strategic Partnership.
The 'India-Mauritius Joint Vision for an Enhanced Strategic Partnership' unveiled on the second and final day of PM Modi's historic State Visit to the Indian Ocean nation highlights the exceptional bond between the two nations, which is unparalleled due to shared history, language, culture, heritage, kinship, and values.
During his visit, PM Modi engaged in in-depth discussions with the Mauritian leadership aimed at fortifying bilateral relations, concentrating on improving collaboration in vital sectors such as infrastructure, housing, digital technology, healthcare, AI, and more.
With an emphasis on defense and maritime security cooperation, both leaders highlighted that this area is a crucial pillar of their bilateral relations, achieving a strategic dimension that has benefited both nations significantly. They reaffirmed that India and Mauritius, sharing a commitment to ensuring a free, open, safe, and secure Indian Ocean Region (IOR), are natural allies in the area and reiterated their resolve to collaborate closely in addressing maritime challenges and safeguarding broader strategic interests.
The Prime Minister of Mauritius expressed gratitude to India for its steadfast support in safeguarding its vast Exclusive Economic Zone by providing defense and maritime assets, including regular deployments of ships and aircraft, conducting joint maritime surveillance, hydrographic surveys, patrolling, bilateral exercises, and information sharing and training support, thereby establishing itself as a key security partner for Mauritius.
"The Prime Minister of Mauritius further appreciated India's ongoing assistance in the refitting of Coast Guard Ships Victory, Valiant, and Barracuda, on a grant basis. The Prime Minister of India recognized that Mauritius is a special maritime partner for India and plays a significant role in India’s Vision SAGAR. Given their shared objectives in the region, the Prime Minister of India reaffirmed India’s ongoing support and assistance to Mauritius in enhancing its defense and security needs," stated the Joint Vision.
Both leaders committed to bolstering maritime cooperation through increased deployments of ships and aircraft for joint maritime surveillance and hydrographic surveys while deepening collaboration to secure Mauritius's EEZ, including the enhanced use of the newly constructed runway and jetty at Agalega and establishing a National Maritime Information Sharing Centre to boost maritime domain awareness.
The two leaders welcomed the ongoing dialogues between Mauritius and the United Kingdom regarding the Chagos Islands. PM Modi reiterated India’s strong support for Mauritius on the Chagos matter. The Prime Minister of Mauritius thanked PM Modi for his personal support and engagement with global leaders on this issue.
"The leaders agreed to collaborate closely in advancing cooperation under regional and multilateral frameworks, particularly through the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), Colombo Security Conclave, the Global Biofuels Alliance, International Solar Alliance, and Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure. They commended the recent signing of the Founding Documents of the Colombo Security Conclave and India’s assumption of the Chair of the IORA for the period 2025-26, highlighting the significance of these regional mechanisms for enhancing cooperation on maritime security and addressing shared challenges in the Indian Ocean Region," the statement added.
The leaders acknowledged that India-Mauritius ties, grounded in people-to-people and cultural exchanges, have evolved into a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership that spans various domains and benefits both countries, their citizens, and the broader IOR.
"The Prime Minister of Mauritius highlighted India's role as a reliable and trusted partner in its socio-economic development since independence. Emphasizing India's unwavering support to Mauritius at all times, the Prime Minister of Mauritius reaffirmed his commitment to further strengthening the bilateral partnership to meet future challenges," stated the Joint Vision.
"Recalling his previous visit to Mauritius in March 2015, during which India's Vision SAGAR, or Security and Growth For All in the Region, was introduced, PM Modi emphasized that Mauritius is a vital partner for realizing Vision SAGAR and praised the extensive support from the Government of Mauritius in advancing bilateral relations. He noted that Mauritius sits at the intersection of India’s Vision SAGAR, its Neighbourhood First policy, and its commitment to the Global South, underlining Mauritius's crucial role in promoting these initiatives for the mutual benefit of both nations," it added.
PM Modi invited the Prime Minister of Mauritius for an official visit to India at the earliest convenience, as both leaders acknowledged that their bilateral relations are characterized by a high degree of trust and mutual understanding at various levels, supported by regular high-level exchanges and visits between the two countries.
Both leaders noted that India has been the leading development partner for Mauritius since its independence, significantly contributing to its infrastructure and developmental needs. Highlighting India’s role in successfully implementing several prominent infrastructure projects, including the India-Mauritius Metro Express Project, new Supreme Court Building, new ENT Hospital, 956 social housing units, and educational tablets, the Prime Minister of Mauritius expressed gratitude for India-aided projects that have positively impacted various sectors and benefited all segments of Mauritian society over the years.
The Prime Minister of Mauritius thanked the Indian government for its prompt assistance, including the deployment of transport aircraft and ships, aiding the Mauritian government’s recovery efforts following the recent Cyclone Chido, reaffirming India's position as a 'First Responder' for Mauritius during emergencies.
Both leaders further emphasized the importance of ongoing infrastructure projects, such as the Renal Transplant Unit, Forensic Science Laboratory, National Archives and Library, and Civil Service College, along with the High Impact Community Development Projects distributed across Mauritius, reiterating their full support for timely completion.
"Recognizing that India's people-centric developmental assistance brings tangible benefits to the friendly people of Mauritius and contributes to its socio-economic growth, both leaders agreed to work towards the timely delivery of 100 electric buses and the necessary charging infrastructure; implement Phase II of the High Impact Community Development Projects; initiate the replacement of 100 km of water pipeline in Mauritius under the first INR-denominated Line of Credit agreement concluded between the two parties; finalize discussions regarding the new Parliament building on a site to be determined by the Government of Mauritius, and conclude framework understanding for this project with India's grant assistance; and finalize discussions for the redevelopment of the Ganga Talao Spiritual Sanctuary and conclude framework understanding for this project with India's grant assistance," detailed the statement.
Highlighting that ongoing space cooperation has greatly benefited both nations, Ramgoolam expressed appreciation for the Indian government’s support in developing a joint satellite for Mauritius, acknowledging this partnership as a testament to India's unwavering commitment to Mauritius’s developmental journey.
Recognizing that the conclusion of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA), India's first-ever trade agreement with an African nation, represents a significant milestone in the economic and trade relations of both countries, the leaders emphasized the need to fully leverage bilateral trade to achieve mutual economic growth and prosperity for both Mauritius and India.
