Why in the News?

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth virtually inaugurated an air strip and a jetty to ensure maritime security and connectivity to Mauritius’ Agalega islands.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• About Agalega Islands (Location, Significance for India, etc.)
• News Summary

About Agalega Islands:

• Agalega islands lies approximately 650 nautical miles (1,050 km) north of Mauritius.
• It is a group of two islands with a total area of 26 sq km and a native population of about 300 people.

Significance of Agalega Islands:

• The development of the Agalega Islands is in the socio-economic and national security interest of Mauritius, and also aligns with India’s maritime vision.
• The islands, a dependency of Mauritius, were not developed for many years.
• The sustainability and well-being of the islands’ inhabitants presented a challenge, as even the most basic needs required referral to Mauritius.
• The near absence of an official government or security presence was a serious vulnerability.
• This vulnerability could be converted to strength by developing the islands and creating facilities that could operate ships and aircraft.
• Building a jetty and an airstrip was therefore considered imperative by the government of Mauritius.
• They chose India as their preferred development partner.

Why Did Mauritians Choose India?

• Ties between India and Mauritius go back to 1948, 20 years before the country’s independence from Britain.
• Seventy per cent of the inhabitants of Mauritius are of Indian origin, and the two countries share deep historical, social, and cultural bonds.
• The consistent feature in the history of bilateral relations has been friendship and trust at all levels — the political leadership, the diplomatic and military communities, as well as between the peoples of the two countries.
• The development of these strategically located islands required trust more than anything else. Hence, India was the obvious choice.

Significance for India:

• The goodwill and trust between the two countries will be further enhanced.
• India will welcome opportunities to further develop these islands in collaboration with Mauritius as the latter deems appropriate.
• The joint development of Agalega underscores India’s commitment to the vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR).
• It will indicate to other maritime neighbours that India is a benign and friendly country that respects the sovereignty of independent nations.
• India would like to emerge as the preferred development and security partner in the Indian Ocean Region.

News Summary:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth virtually inaugurated an air strip and a jetty in Mauritius’ Agalega islands.
• PM Modi said the two countries are working actively towards ensuring security, prosperity and stability in the Indian Ocean region.
• These projects will “enhance the island’s capacity and capabilities in marine surveillance and security, while also meeting development objectives”.
• Since 2003, several attempts had been made to upgrade the air strip, but nothing concrete materialised.
• The move to develop and build the new airstrip and the jetty came after PM Modi’s visit to the island country in March 2015.
• PM Modi flagged concerns over challenges in the Indian Ocean region and said India and Mauritius are “natural partners” in the maritime domain to deal with them.