India and Mauritius: Boost To Strategic Ties

Syllabus: GS2/International Relations

Context

• Recently, the Prime Minister of India met with Mauritian counterpart in Victoria, Mahe on the sidelines of Seychelles’ Golden Jubilee National Day celebrations.
• They reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in maritime security, development partnership, capacity building, trade, connectivity and people-to-people ties.

India–Mauritius Relations

• India and Mauritius share an exceptionally close relationship based on:
  • Shared history and civilizational links;
  • Indian diaspora connection;
  • Maritime and strategic convergence in the Indian Ocean;
  • Development partnership;
  • Common democratic values;
• Mauritius occupies a central position in India’s vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) and the Neighbourhood First Policy.

Historical Background

• Mauritius was uninhabited until European colonisation. A large number of Indians migrated as indentured labourers after the abolition of slavery in 1834.
  • Today, around two-thirds of Mauritius’ population is of Indian origin, making the diaspora a major pillar of bilateral relations.
  • Diplomatic relations were established immediately after Mauritius attained independence in 1968.

Republic of Mauritius

• It is an island nation located in the Indian Ocean, approximately 2,000 kilometers off the southeastern coast of Africa.
• Capital: Port Louis

Major Pillars of India–Mauritius Relations

• Political Relations: India and Mauritius maintain regular high-level political exchanges.
  • Recently, both sides reiterated commitment towards expanding development partnership, enhancing maritime cooperation, strengthening regional stability in the Indian Ocean, and deepening economic engagement.
• Strategic and Maritime Cooperation:
  • Maritime Security: Joint surveillance of Mauritian EEZ; hydrographic surveys by the Indian Navy; coastal radar systems; and information sharing on maritime domain awareness.
  • Defence Cooperation: India assists Mauritius through training of Mauritian defence personnel, supply of defence equipment, deployment of Indian military advisors, joint exercises and patrols.
  • SAGAR Doctrine: Mauritius is a cornerstone of India’s SAGAR Vision, Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), and Vision MAHASAGAR.
• Economic and Commercial Relations
  • Bilateral Trade (FY 2024-25): USD 887.25 mn (Total trade)
    • Indian Exports to Mauritius: USD 676.34 mn
    • Mauritian Exports to India: USD 210.91 mn
    • Trade has grown by 329% in the last 17 years, from USD 206.76 million in 2005-06 to USD 887.25 million in 2024-25.
  • Main Indian Exports: Petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, food products, machinery, textiles, and automobiles
  • Mauritian Exports: Scrap metals, agricultural products, textiles, and seafood products.
• Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA): It was signed in 2021. It is India’s first trade agreement with an African country.
  • It aims to liberalise trade in goods and services, promotion of investment, expansion of financial services, and greater market access.
• Financial and Investment Relations: Historically, Mauritius has been a major source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into India.
  • Key reasons are favourable tax regime; and Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA).
  • DTAA Revision (2016) was aimed at treaty shopping, round-tripping of funds, and tax evasion.

• Development Partnership:
  • Metro Express Project: India’s flagship infrastructure project in Mauritius. It significantly improved urban mobility.
  • New Supreme Court Building: It was constructed with Indian grant assistance. It symbolises democratic cooperation.
  • ENT Hospital: It was built with Indian support. It enhances healthcare infrastructure.
  • Social Housing Projects: Several small-scale projects have been implemented across Mauritius in sectors such as education, health, community infrastructure, and sports.
  • Other Important Projects: Civil Service College; Forensic Science Laboratory; Digital and ICT initiatives.

Cultural and Diaspora Relations

• Diaspora: Indian origin people comprise nearly 70% of the island’s population of 1.2 million (28% Creole, 3% Sino-Mauritian, 1% Franco-Mauritian).
• Shared Cultural Traditions: Hindi, Bhojpuri, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi and Urdu are widely practised.
  • Indian festivals such as Diwali, Holi, and Maha Shivaratri are celebrated on a national scale.
• Cultural Institutions: Mahatma Gandhi Institute; Rabindranath Tagore Institute; and World Hindi Secretariat (headquartered in Mauritius).
• Capacity Building and Human Resource Development: India supports Mauritius through ITEC scholarships, ICCR scholarships, training programmes for civil servants, skill development initiatives, and cooperation in digital governance and public administration.
• Cooperation in Multilateral Forums: Both countries cooperate closely in United Nations (UN), Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), International Solar Alliance (ISA), Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), and Global South initiatives.
  • Mauritius has consistently supported India on several international issues.
  • India has backed Mauritius’s territorial claim over the Chagos Archipelago, a matter of dispute with the United Kingdom.

Significance of Mauritius for India

• Strategic Importance: Gateway to the western Indian Ocean; critical for securing Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs); and important for India’s Indo-Pacific strategy.
• Economic Importance: Trade and investment hub; and link to African markets.
• Geopolitical Importance: Helps counter extra-regional influence in the Indian Ocean; and enhances India’s role as a net security provider.

Challenges in Bilateral Relations

• Competition from external powers, especially China.
• Concerns regarding strategic projects and sovereignty issues.
• Need for diversification of trade.
• Regulatory issues in financial cooperation.
• Climate change vulnerabilities affecting Mauritius.

Way Forward

• There is a need to deepen maritime and defence cooperation, expand CECPA implementation, promote blue economy collaboration, enhance digital and fintech partnerships, strengthen renewable energy cooperation, increase people-to-people and educational exchanges, and accelerate implementation of infrastructure projects.

Source: DD News