India, Mauritius upgrade ties, ink 8 priority pacts
India and Mauritius on Wednesday upgraded their ties to an Enhanced Strategic Partnership, reaffirming their shared commitment to a “free, safe, secure and open Indian Ocean”. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Mauritian counterpart Navinchandra Ramgoolam announced the decision following delegation-level talks, a move seen as bolstering New Delhi’s influence in the Indian Ocean Region to counter China’s expanding presence.
The two nations exchanged eight memorandums of understanding (MoUs) covering areas such as a local currency settlement system, a credit facility agreement, training programmes for diplomats, white shipping information sharing, MSME cooperation and crime investigations. They also pledged to collaborate on AI and digital infrastructure for public good.
During his two-day state visit, PM Modi participated in Mauritius’ 57th Independence Day celebrations as the chief guest, received the country’s highest civilian award and inaugurated 20 India-aided community development projects. He also immersed holy waters from the Mahakumbh Sangam in the Ganga Talao lake.
In his remarks, PM Modi emphasised that India-Mauritius relations extend beyond the Indian Ocean, rooted in shared cultural heritage and values. Terming defence cooperation and maritime security as key pillars of the strategic partnership, he stated, "A free, open, secure and safe Indian Ocean is our common priority. We are committed to supporting the security of Mauritius’ Exclusive Economic Zone.” India will assist in establishing a police academy and a national maritime information sharing centre in Mauritius, while also enhancing collaboration in areas like white shipping, blue economy and hydrography, he said.
PM Modi announced India’s support for constructing a new Parliament building in Mauritius, calling it the “Mother of Democracy’s gift” to the African nation. He reiterated India’s backing for Mauritius’ sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, which the UK had in October 2024 agreed to conditionally transfer to Mauritius. With recent changes in the UK and US governments, India’s support could strengthen Mauritius’ position if the deal is revisited.
Maritime security remained a central focus of the visit, alongside development cooperation and capacity-building initiatives. PM Modi pledged 500 million Mauritian rupees for the second phase of community development projects and announced plans to train over 500 Mauritian civil servants over the next five years.
The two leaders also committed to strengthening the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA), signed in 2021 as India’s first trade agreement with an African nation. This agreement is viewed as a strategic counter to China’s 2019 Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Mauritius.
PM Modi unveiled Vision MAHASAGAR, an expansion of the Vision SAGAR initiative launched in Mauritius a decade ago. “MAHASAGAR stands for ‘mutual and holistic advancement for security and growth across regions for the global south’. This vision would guide development cooperation, capacity building, sustainable growth and mutual security for our shared future,” PM Modi said.
PM Modi underscored the importance of people-to-people ties as the foundation of the bilateral partnership. Alongside PM Ramgoolam, he inaugurated the Atal Behari Institute for Public Service and Innovation.
This marked PM Modi’s second visit to Mauritius, following his 2015 trip as chief guest for the National Day celebrations.
