NEW DELHI: India and Mauritius have upgraded their relationship to an Enhanced Strategic Partnership, reaffirming their commitment to a free, open, and secure Indian Ocean. During formal talks in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Mauritian counterpart Navinchandra Ramgoolam pledged full support for the security of Mauritius’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), including increased deployment of Indian ships and aircraft.
‘Mahasagar’ Vision for the Global South
Marking the 10th anniversary of India’s ‘Vision Sagar’ (Security and Growth for All in the Region), first announced in Mauritius, Modi introduced ‘Mahasagar’ (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions). This initiative aims to promote trade-driven development, capacity building for sustainable growth, and mutual security for a shared future.
“Mauritius is a special partner in the region, and under Mahasagar, we will extend cooperation through technology sharing, concessional loans, and grants,” Modi stated.
India to Gift Mauritius a New Parliament Building
Following their meeting, the two leaders oversaw the signing of eight agreements and made key announcements, including India’s construction of a new Parliament building for Mauritius. Calling India the “mother of democracy,” Modi said the building would be a symbolic gift to strengthen Mauritius’s democratic institutions.
Backing Mauritius on Chagos Sovereignty
India reiterated its “firm support” for Mauritius regarding the Chagos Archipelago, where a UK-US military base is located. Modi highlighted India’s respect for Mauritius’s sovereignty over Chagos and pledged cooperation through regional forums such as the Colombo Security Conclave, Indian Ocean Rim Association, and Indian Ocean Conference. Ramgoolam thanked Modi for his personal engagement with global leaders on this issue, describing India and Mauritius as natural partners.
India’s First Rupee-Denominated Line of Credit
In a landmark move, India announced a ₹487 crore rupee-denominated line of credit for replacing water pipelines in Mauritius. “This is the first-ever rupee-based line of credit extended by India to any country, making it a significant development,” said Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
Strengthening Defence and Maritime Security
Defence and maritime security cooperation emerged as a key pillar of the partnership. Modi committed to fulfilling all the requirements of the Mauritian Coast Guard, while India will also assist in establishing a police academy and a National Maritime Information Sharing Centre in Mauritius.
“Cooperation will be further strengthened in white shipping, blue economy, and hydrography,” Modi stated.
Mauritius acknowledged India’s unwavering support in safeguarding its vast EEZ, which includes:
Provision of defence and maritime assets
Regular deployment of ships and aircraft
Joint maritime surveillance, hydrographic surveys, and patrols
Bilateral exercises and training programs
India and Mauritius also agreed to enhance security cooperation using the newly developed runway and jetty on Agalega islands, a strategic location in the Indian Ocean, amid rising Chinese presence in the region.
Addressing Double Taxation Concerns
Both sides emphasized the need to ratify the amendment to their Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement at the earliest, ensuring alignment with global treaty abuse standards. Misri confirmed that Mauritius had sought clarifications, which India had addressed at a high level.
“Our aim is to eliminate doubts and provide Mauritius with a strong, fair agreement. We hope Mauritius completes its internal processes soon so the protocol can come into force quickly,” he added.
