Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on a two-day visit to Mauritius on Tuesday, where he will be the chief guest at the island nation’s 57th National Day celebrations. His visit is expected to strengthen the economic and security relationship between the two countries, with several key agreements set to be signed. A contingent of Indian armed forces, including a warship from the Indian Navy and the Akash Ganga skydiving team of the Indian Air Force, will also participate in the celebrations.
Talking about PM Modi’s visit, his Mauritian counterpart, Navinchandra Ramgoolam, said, “It is indeed a singular privilege for our country to host such a distinguished personality who is doing us this honour, inspite of his very tight schedule and inspite of his recent visits to Paris and the United States, he has agreed to be here as our special guest.” He further emphasized that the visit highlights the strong and historic ties between India and Mauritius.
Key Agreements to Be Signed
During the visit, India and Mauritius will exchange several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) covering areas such as trade, maritime security, financial crime prevention, and small and medium enterprise (SME) development.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated that a technical agreement between the Indian Navy and Mauritius authorities will be signed to facilitate information exchange on white shipping. This will help both countries enhance maritime security and prevent illegal activities in the region.
Additionally, the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services and the Mauritius Prime Minister’s Office will collaborate to improve maritime zone management, ocean observation, and research. PM Modi and Ramgoolam will also jointly inaugurate a civil service college and a health center, both developed with Indian financial assistance.
In the financial sector, India’s Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Financial Crime Commission of Mauritius will sign an MoU to strengthen cooperation in combating financial crimes, including money laundering. This pact aims to improve intelligence-sharing and technical support between the two nations.
Strengthening India-Mauritius Relations
India and Mauritius have maintained close diplomatic and economic ties for decades, with nearly 70 percent of Mauritius’ population having Indian ancestry. India has consistently been one of Mauritius’ largest trading partners, and bilateral trade has witnessed significant growth over the years.
Between 2005 and 2023, trade between the two nations increased by 132 percent, reaching a total trade volume of USD 554 million in the financial year 2022-23. Indian exports to Mauritius amounted to USD 462 million, while Mauritius exported goods worth USD 91.5 million to India.
India has also played a crucial role in strengthening Mauritius’ maritime security. Over the past decade, India has contributed to the expansion of a strategic airstrip and jetty on Agalega Island, enhancing Mauritius’ capacity to monitor its vast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 2.3 million square kilometers.
Balancing Global Interests in the Indian Ocean
While Mauritius engages with multiple global powers, it remains a key partner of India in the Indian Ocean region. Even as China has been pushing for maritime surveys in the region, Mauritius continues to work closely with India on ocean research and information-sharing.
Following the China-Mauritius Free Trade Agreement in February 2021, Mauritius signed a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement with India, reinforcing its commitment to strong economic ties with New Delhi.
PM Modi’s first visit to Mauritius in 2015 marked the launch of India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) initiative, which aims to enhance maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean region.
With this upcoming visit, India and Mauritius are set to deepen their economic, security, and diplomatic cooperation, further solidifying their long-standing partnership.
