Strengthening India-Mauritius Ties Amid Geopolitical Shifts in Indian Ocean

Syllabus:

GS-1:

Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India’s InterestsBilateral Groupings & AgreementsIndia and its Neighbourhood

Focus:a

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Mauritius aims to deepen strategic, economic, and maritime security ties. The visit also comes amid growing global competition in the Indian Ocean region, with India reinforcing its role as a reliable partner while supporting Mauritius’s sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago.

Strengthening India-Mauritius Ties Amid Geopolitical Shifts in Indian Ocean

Historical and Cultural Ties:

Shared Ethnic and Cultural Heritage

  • Mauritius has a large Indian-origin population (nearly 70% of 1.3 million people), creating a strong historical and cultural bond with India.
  • Indian traditions, festivals, and languages continue to influence Mauritian society, reinforcing deep-rooted ties.

Colonial Legacy and Independence Struggles

  • Mauritius has been ruled by multiple colonial powers, including the Portuguese, Dutch, French, and British.
  • India supported Mauritius in its fight against colonial remnants, especially regarding the Chagos Archipelago dispute.

India’s Role in Strengthening Mauritius’s Sovereignty

  • India has stood by Mauritius in its territorial disputes, particularly its sovereignty claim over Chagos Archipelago.
  • Delhi’s diplomatic efforts have contributed to Mauritius securing an agreement with the UK on the Chagos issue.

Strategic Importance of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean

Geopolitical Significance

  • Mauritius is often referred to as the “Star and Key of the Indian Ocean”, due to its central position in the Western Indian Ocean.
  • The island nation has been a critical maritime hub for global trade, linking Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.
  • The opening of the Suez Canal initially reduced Mauritius’s importance, but geopolitical shifts, world wars, and post-Cold War developments have re-established its strategic relevance.

Rising Geopolitical Competition

  • India faces growing competition in the region from China, Europe, Russia, the Gulf States, and Turkey, all seeking influence.
  • China’s expanding presence in the Indian Ocean through investments, port developments, and military bases is a strategic challenge for India.

India’s Maritime Security Concerns

  • India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) policy highlights the importance of the Indian Ocean for regional stability.
  • Strengthening ties with Mauritius allows India to counterbalance China’s increasing naval footprint in the region.
  • India is actively involved in developing logistical and security infrastructure in Mauritius, particularly on AgalĂ©ga Island.

The Chagos Archipelago Issue: Legal and Geopolitical Impact:

Historical Background of the Chagos Dispute

  • In 1968, as Mauritius gained independence, Britain separated the Chagos Archipelago and formed the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT).
  • The largest island, Diego Garcia, was leased to the United States, which established a major military base.

Legal and Diplomatic Victory for Mauritius

  • Mauritius led a global diplomatic campaign to reclaim Chagos, gaining support from international bodies.
  • In 2019, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in favor of Mauritius’s sovereignty over Chagos, strengthening international law on decolonization principles.

Implications of the UK-Mauritius Agreement

  • The 2023 agreement between the UK and Mauritius reaffirmed Mauritius’s sovereignty over Chagos.
  • The deal also ensures a 99-year extension of the US military base on Diego Garcia, reinforcing Western military presence in the Indian Ocean.
  • This agreement reassures India and its allies, countering concerns of Chinese strategic influence in the region.

About India-Mauritius Relations: A Strategic Partnership

Cultural Ties:

  • Mauritius, a former British and French colony, gained independence in 1968.
  • 19th-century Indian indentured laborers played a key role in shaping its society.
  • Mahatma Gandhi’s visit (1901) emphasized education, empowerment, and India ties.
  • 70% of Mauritius’s population traces its ancestry to India.
  • Institutions like Mahatma Gandhi Institute and World Hindi Secretariat nurture cultural ties.

Political and Diplomatic Engagement

  • Diplomatic relations since 1948; Mauritius supports India in UN, Commonwealth, and global forums.
  • India supports Mauritius’s territorial claim over Chagos Archipelago.

Economic and Trade Relations

  • Trade Growth: USD 206.76 million (2005-06) → USD 851.13 million (2023-24).
  • CECPA: First economic agreement between India and an African nation.
  • FDI: Mauritius was the second-largest FDI source for India (2023-24).
  • Financial Assistance: India provided $100 million defense credit and supports SEZ development.

Strategic and Defense Cooperation

  • Maritime Surveillance & Security: India aids in patrolling, radar networks, and anti-piracy ops.
  • Agalega Island Development: Enhancing air and naval connectivity.
  • Defense Equipment & Infrastructure: Naval dockyard, surveillance radars, and military aid.

Emerging Areas of Cooperation

  • Digital Economy: FinTech growth with UPI-based digital payments & cybersecurity collaboration.
  • Renewable Energy & Climate Change: Mauritius, a member of ISA, benefits from solar and wind projects.
  • Space Cooperation: India provides satellite technology for disaster management & maritime security.

Economic and Security Cooperation:

Economic and Trade Partnerships

  • Mauritius serves as a financial hub, linking Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.
  • The country has balanced economic relations with major global powers, including India, China, and Western nations.
  • India and Mauritius have a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA), enhancing bilateral trade and investment.

India’s Infrastructure and Development Projects

  • India is actively involved in infrastructure development projects in Mauritius, strengthening its economic and strategic interests.
  • The AgalĂ©ga Island project, supported by India, enhances logistics and maritime security in the region.

Military and Maritime Security Collaboration

  • India has enhanced naval cooperation with Mauritius through joint exercises, intelligence sharing, and capacity-building programs.
  • Ensuring maritime security in the Indian Ocean is a shared priority, particularly against piracy, illegal fishing, and smuggling.

Future of India-Mauritius Relations in a Changing Geopolitical Landscape:

Strengthening Strategic Partnerships

  • India must continue to prioritize its diplomatic, economic, and security ties with Mauritius to maintain regional stability.
  • Deepening engagement through defense cooperation, trade agreements, and cultural exchanges will further solidify bilateral ties.

Balancing Global Interests in the Indian Ocean

  • Mauritius maintains strong relations with multiple global players, ensuring its strategic autonomy.
  • India’s challenge is to strengthen its influence without undermining Mauritius’s independent foreign policy.

Countering China’s Expanding Influence

  • China’s increasing investment in port infrastructure, trade routes, and military positioning in the Western Indian Ocean requires India to remain proactive.
  • India should enhance its maritime cooperation with like-minded partners (e.g., the US, France, and Japan) to counterbalance China’s ambitions.

Key Challenges & Road Ahead

  • Tax Treaty Amendments: DTAA revision reduces Mauritius’s FDI attractiveness.
  • Chinese Influence: China’s increasing economic investments may challenge India’s position.
  • Security Threats: Rising maritime piracy & illegal fishing need stronger regional cooperation.
  • Future Prospects: Expanding CECPA, boosting defense ties, and enhancing regional cooperation via IORA and Africa engagement.

Conclusion: India as a Reliable Partner

  • Unlike some external players, India’s engagement with Mauritius is based on mutual trust and historical ties, rather than strategic opportunism.
  • Mauritius’s role as a regional hub for trade, security, and diplomacy makes it a key partner for India’s Indo-Pacific strategy.
  • PM Modi’s visit highlights India’s long-term commitment to Mauritius, reinforcing both sovereignty and security interests in the Indian Ocean.

Source: TH

Mains Practice Question:

Discuss the strategic importance of Mauritius in India’s maritime security and foreign policy. How does India’s partnership with Mauritius counter growing Chinese influence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)? Analyze the impact of the Chagos Archipelago dispute resolution on regional geopolitics. (250 words)Â