India-Mauritius Relations: A Historic Blueprint for Cooperation in 7 Key Sectors

India & Mauritius relations

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth in Varanasi to strengthen bilateral ties and announce new cooperation initiatives, focusing on maritime security, infrastructure, trade, and renewable energy.

KEY POINTS: India & Mauritius relations

• Special Economic Package:

• Announced to support Mauritius’ needs in infrastructure, healthcare, and employment generation.
• Includes SSR International Airport expansion, highways, and roads.

• Healthcare Cooperation:

• Establishing an AYUSH Centre of Excellence.
• A 500-bed multi-specialty hospital and a Veterinary Hospital in Mauritius.
• India sent 100 electric buses to Mauritius (10 already delivered).

• Maritime Security:

• India to assist in refitting Mauritius Coast Guard ships.
• 120 officers from Mauritius receive training in India.
• Emphasis on securing Mauritius’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

• Renewable Energy:

• India to support a 17.5 MW floating solar power plant in Mauritius’ Tamarind Falls.

• Education & Research:
  • IIT Madras and the National Institute of Plantation Management signed MoUs with Mauritius for research and innovation.
• Trade in Local Currencies:
  • Both sides discussed settlement of trade in local currencies to reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar.
• Double Tax Avoidance Treaty:
  • Discussed to streamline tax and financial cooperation.

INDIA-MAURITIUS HISTORICAL RELATIONS:

• Deep-rooted cultural and historical ties with over 68% of Mauritius’ population of Indian origin.
• India was one of the first responders during crises in the Indian Ocean region.
• Long-standing cooperation in trade, education, healthcare, and defence.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS:

• Maritime collaboration through training and equipment support.
• Expansion of educational collaborations with IIT Madras and other institutes.
• Infrastructure projects like highways, hospitals, and renewable energy plants under India’s assistance program.
• Focus on the blue economy and sustainable ocean resources.

CHALLENGES:

• Maritime Security:
  • Threats like piracy, illegal fishing, and regional conflicts.
  • Need for better surveillance and joint operations.
• Economic Concerns:
  • Mauritius’ limited capacity to handle vast economic cooperation independently.
  • Need for stable frameworks for trade in local currencies.
• Geopolitical Competition:
  • Rising influence of China and other powers in the Indian Ocean region.
  • Maintaining India’s strategic and security interests amidst external competition.

About MISSION MAHASAGAR:

• Mission MAHASAGAR (Maritime Security and Assistance for Growth Among Regional Nations) was launched by India to strengthen maritime diplomacy and extend humanitarian assistance to countries in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
• The word MAHASAGAR reflects India’s vision for a secure, stable, and prosperous Indian Ocean.
• Part of India’s Neighbourhood First Policy and Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) doctrine announced by PM Narendra Modi in 2015.

Objectives:

• To enhance maritime security cooperation among IOR nations.
• To offer humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) support.
• To secure sea lanes of communication and promote safe maritime trade.
• To counter threats like piracy, illegal fishing, drug trafficking, and terrorism in the region.
• To build capacity and capability of partner nations through training and technology sharing.

Key Features:

• Humanitarian Outreach:
  • Provides essential medicines, food, and relief material to neighboring island nations during crises.
  • India extended support to countries like Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar, and Comoros during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Defence Cooperation:
  • Joint naval exercises and capacity-building programs for regional navies and coast guards.
  • Deployment of Indian naval ships for patrolling and surveillance missions.
• Strategic Dimension:
  • Enhances India’s presence in the IOR amidst growing Chinese influence.
  • Supports the Blue Economy through sustainable ocean resource management.

Recent Developments :

• During the recent meeting between PM Modi and Mauritius PM Pravind Kumar Jugnauth in Varanasi:

• Emphasis on strengthening Mission MAHASAGAR initiatives.
• India to help in refitting Mauritius Coast Guard ships and training 120 Mauritian officers.
• Support for Mauritius’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) surveillance and security.
• Expansion into renewable energy projects, including a 17.5 MW floating solar power plant.

Importance for India:

• Strategic: Secures India’s maritime borders and ensures free and open sea routes in the Indian Ocean.
• Economic: Protects vital shipping lanes carrying oil and goods between Asia, Africa, and Europe.
• Geopolitical: Counters China’s “String of Pearls” strategy and influence in IOR nations.
• Humanitarian: Builds goodwill and trust through timely disaster relief and assistance.

Challenges

• Rising China’s footprint in the IOR through ports and infrastructure projects.
• Limited resources for India’s navy to cover vast ocean areas.
• Growing non-traditional threats, such as piracy, smuggling, and cyberattacks on maritime networks.
• Need for deeper coordination among IOR nations with different political systems and priorities.

Way Forward

• Strengthen defence partnerships through regular exercises and equipment sharing.
• Expand renewable energy and blue economy projects with IOR nations.
• Enhance coastal radar networks and surveillance systems.
• Promote multilateral cooperation through groupings like IORA, BIMSTEC, and QUAD.