Why in news?

PM Narendra Modi will visit Mauritius for two days, marking his second visit since 2015. He will be the Chief Guest at Mauritius’ National Day celebrations on March 12.

What’s in today’s article?

• Mauritius: A Key Indian Ocean Neighbour
• Early Diplomatic Ties
• Infrastructure Development in Agaléga
• Key Focus Areas of India-Mauritius Ties

Mauritius: A Key Indian Ocean Neighbour

• Mauritius, a strategically located island nation in the western Indian Ocean, shares strong ties with India, as nearly 70% of its 1.2 million population is of Indian origin.
• Geographical location
  • Mauritius is an island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar, and off the southeast coast of Africa.
    • It is considered part of Africa geographically.
  • It's located in the Southern Hemisphere, just above the Tropic of Capricorn.
• Colonial History and Indian Migration
  • Originally a French colony, Mauritius later came under British rule.
  • During French rule in the 1700s, Indians from Puducherry were brought as artisans and masons.
  • Under British rule, around 500,000 Indian indentured workers arrived between 1834 and the early 1900s, with two-thirds settling permanently.
• Indian Connection to National Day
  • Mahatma Gandhi visited Mauritius in 1901 and inspired Indian workers with messages on education, political empowerment, and staying connected with India.
  • As a tribute, Mauritius celebrates its National Day on March 12, coinciding with Gandhi’s Dandi March.

Early Diplomatic Ties

• Mauritius was among the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with independent India in 1948. It gained independence from British rule in 1968.
• Political Leadership
  • Mauritius has been largely governed by two major political families—the Ramgoolams (Seewoosagur Ramgoolam and his son Navin) and the Jugnauths (Anerood Jugnauth and his son Pravind).
  • Navin Ramgoolam, who won the elections last year, has previously served as Prime Minister twice (1995–2000, 2005–2014).
• Freedom Struggle and Indian Connection
  • Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, the first Prime Minister of independent Mauritius, played a key role in the country’s freedom movement.
  • He worked closely with Indian leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Sarojini Naidu.
  • He also had strong ties with Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and even proofread Bose’s book, The Indian Struggle (1934).

Infrastructure Development in Agaléga

• During PM Modi’s visit to Mauritius in 2015, India signed an MoU to enhance transport facilities on Agaléga island, improving sea and air connectivity.
• These developments aim to support the Mauritian Defence Forces in safeguarding their outer islands.
• In February 2024, both countries jointly inaugurated an airstrip and jetty projects.
• Sovereignty Concerns and Clarifications
  • Speculations about India building a military base in Agaléga were dismissed by then PM Pravind Jugnauth, who reaffirmed Mauritius' sovereignty over the island and condemned anti-India narratives.
• China Factor and Strategic Importance
  • With China's growing influence in the Indian Ocean, India seeks to strengthen ties with island nations like Mauritius to maintain regional stability and security.
• Disaster Response and Maritime Security
  • Following Cyclone Chido, India deployed naval assets to deliver aid to Agaléga.
  • The new infrastructure also supports Mauritius in maritime surveillance, patrolling its Exclusive Economic Zone, and tackling piracy, drug trafficking, and other security threats.

Key Focus Areas of India-Mauritius Ties

• Defence and Maritime Security
  • India and Mauritius aim to enhance defence cooperation, with plans to sign a technical agreement for sharing white-shipping information.
  • This will improve maritime security, protect trading routes, and strengthen regional data-sharing.
• Indian Development Projects
  • India has provided nearly $1.1 billion in development assistance to Mauritius over the last decade, including $729 million in lines of credit and $427 million in grants.
  • Key projects include three phases of the Metro Express and 96 small-scale infrastructure initiatives, of which 51 have been completed.
• India as a First Responder
  • India has consistently supported Mauritius during crises, including the Covid-19 pandemic, the Wakashio oil spill in 2020, and a recent cyclone, reinforcing its role as a reliable partner.
• Trade and Investment
  • Mauritius is a major economic partner, ranking as the second-largest source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in India after Singapore.
  • The two countries signed the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement in 2021, India's first trade deal with an African nation.
  • Several Indian PSUs, including Bank of Baroda, LIC, and NBCC, operate in Mauritius.
• Space Cooperation
  • India and Mauritius have collaborated in space research since 1986.
  • In 2023, ISRO and the Mauritius Research and Innovation Council (MRIC) signed an MoU to develop a joint satellite, further strengthening space ties.
• Capacity Building and Education
  • Mauritius is a significant beneficiary of India’s ITEC programme, with around 4,940 Mauritians trained since 2002-03.
  • Additionally, 2,300 Indian students are pursuing higher education in Mauritius in fields such as medicine, hotel management, and business studies.
• Cultural and Historical Connections
  • The visit will highlight the legacy of Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, whose ancestors were from Bihar, and celebrate shared cultural traditions, including Maha Shivratri and the Ganga Talao pilgrimage site.