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Context:
PM Modi will visit Mauritius (March 11-12, 2025) as the Guest of Honour for its Independence Day celebrations on March 12.
Political Context
- Mauritius has a new government led by Navinchandra Ramgoolam (Labour Party), who won a landslide victory in November 2024 elections.
- India-Mauritius relations have remained strong regardless of party leadership in either country.
- Modi’s visit will reaffirm India’s support for Mauritius’ security and economic prosperity.
Historical & Cultural Ties
- Shared Colonial Past: Mauritius’ first PM, Sir Seewosagur Ramgoolam, worked with Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in London (1919-21).
- Indian Diaspora:
- Nearly 70% of Mauritius’ population is of Indian origin, descended from indentured laborers.
- Major linguistic groups: Bhojpuri, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi.
- Mahatma Gandhi Institute & World Hindi Secretariat promote Indian culture and languages in Mauritius.
- Diplomatic Challenge:
- Mauritius is a multi-ethnic society, including influential French-origin elites who dominate business sectors.
- India’s diplomacy must balance ties with all communities, beyond just the India-origin population.
Economic & Trade Relations
- Rapid trade growth: India-Mauritius bilateral trade reached $554 million (2022-23).
- Strategic Business Hub:
- Mauritius has preferential trade agreements with Africa and is bilingual (English & French).
- Well-developed finance & banking sector makes it a gateway to Francophone Africa.
- Investment & Financial Sector:
- Mauritius is a major source of foreign investment into India due to the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA).
- Has emerged as an international financial hub, leveraging its strong legal framework.
Maritime Security & Strategic Cooperation
- Mauritius’ Strategic Role:
- Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ): 2.3 million sq. km.
- India has installed coastal radar stations and redeveloped Agaléga island as a joint surveillance facility.
- Mauritius has access to India’s Information Fusion Centre for the Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) for enhanced maritime security.
- Regional Security Alliances:
- Colombo Security Conclave (India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius, Bangladesh) ensures a safe & secure Indian Ocean region.
- INS Sarvekshak recently mapped 25,000 sq. km of Mauritius’ ocean territory.
- China Factor:
- With China’s increasing presence in the Indian Ocean, India-Mauritius security cooperation has gained strategic importance.
Outlook
- PM Modi’s visit will reinforce India’s historical, economic, and strategic ties with Mauritius.
- Discussions will focus on:
- Deepening economic partnerships
- Strengthening maritime security
- Ensuring Mauritius remains India’s reliable ally in the Indian Ocean
India-Mauritius ties must remain a strong and stable anchor in an increasingly uncertain geopolitical landscape.
Source: TH