Context:
India is widening its scope of role vis à vis Mauritius security, economy, and culture much in the same manner as its larger Indian Ocean strategy. The latest agreements convey geopolitical maneuvering, economic integration, and soft power diplomacy.
Indian Influence in the Indian Ocean
- Police Academy and Maritime Information Sharing Center
- India helps establish Mauritius’ Police Academy and Maritime Information Sharing Centre, as part of its regional security architecture.
- Aim
- Strengthen counter piracy efforts, intelligence sharing, and maritime domain awareness in the Western Indian Ocean area.
- Impression
- Measures India in terms of security presence in the region, countering thereby Chinese maritime expansion.
- Enforces Mauritius as a regional security hub, thus strengthening the Colombo Security Conclave.
- Chagos Dispute: India’s Diplomatic Leverage
- India strengthening Mauritius on the sovereignty of Chagos boosts India’s leadership in Indian Ocean governance.
- Significance of Chagos
- Renter of Diego Garcia under control of U.S. military from U.K., which makes it a geopolitical hotspot.
- India’s Angle
- Amplifies through Colombo Security Conclave, Indian Ocean Rim Association, and Indian Ocean Conference.
- Strategic neutrality by not offending Western allies.
- Implication
- Increased credibility of India among small island nations, mostly seeing military bases as evil.
- Balances Western strategic partnerships and yet shows the regional influence.
Economic and Financial Integration: Ties Made Stronger on Both Sides
- Currency Agreement: The national currency agreement between India and Mauritius is designed to
- Promote local currency usage in current and capital account transactions.
- Establish an Indian rupee clearing centre in Mauritius, extending to COMESA (Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa) countries.
- Implication
- Positions Mauritius as India’s financial gateway to Africa.
- Eases dependence on USD, establishing a multipolar trade ecosystem.
- Greater investment flows, enhanced trade efficiency, and economic stability in bilateral engagements.
- Development Assistance: New Indian sponsored development projects worth Mauritian rupee 500 million would strengthen India’s commitment to
- Infrastructure and socio economic development.
- Strengthening Mauritius’ dependence more on Indian funding than Chinese funding.
- Implication
- Solidifies India’s role as a developmental partner in Africa and the Indian Ocean region.
- Counters China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
Source: TH
