The Indian Prime Minister is on a visit to Mauritius for a two-day state visit recently, marking his second trip to the island nation since 2015. 

Key Highlights of Recent Visit of PM

• Award Conferred: PM awarded The Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean, Mauritius’ highest civilian honour.
  • He is the first Indian and fifth foreign national to receive this award.
• Bilateral Discussions: PM met Mauritius President Dharam Gokhool and PM Navinchandra Ramgoolam.
  • Discussed ways to boost bilateral ties across diverse sectors.
  • Focus on strengthening SAGAR vision (Security and Growth for All in the Region).
• Cultural and Historical Ties: PM termed Mauritius as “Mini India” and a “bridge between India and the Global South.”
  • Highlighted shared history, heritage, and people-to-people linkages.

• Strategic and Security Cooperation:
  • PM announced that India’s new vision for the Global South called “MAHASAGAR” or “Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions” will bring growth security.”
    • It shall encompass the ideas of trade for development, capacity building for sustainable growth, and mutual security for a shared future.
    •  Under this, extend cooperation through technology sharing, concessional loans and grants.
  • Decided to elevate the India-Mauritius partnership to an ‘Enhanced Strategic Partnership’.
• Economic Cooperation: Mauritius PM sought Indian investment in sectors like construction, tourism, healthcare, and financial services.
  • Proposed economic reforms to reduce bureaucracy and establish an arbitration centre for commercial disputes.
  • Discussed amendments to the Double Taxation Avoidance Convention (DTAC) and Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA).
  • India would continue to support Mauritius’ Exclusive Economic Zone and add 500 million Mauritian rupee projects to the second phase of community development work in the country.
• Diaspora Engagement: PM announced Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) cards for Mauritius PM Navin Ramgoolam, his spouse, and President Gokhool.

• • Addressed the Indian diaspora, emphasizing Mauritius as “family” and not just a partner.
• Infrastructure Projects: Inaugurated over 20 India-funded projects, including the Civil Services College building and Area Health Centre.
  • Announced new infrastructure projects to strengthen democracy in Mauritius.
  • India will cooperate in building a new Parliament building in Mauritius.
  • Inaugurated the “Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Public Service and Innovation” and handed it over to Mauritius.
• Cultural Exchanges: PM Modi participated in traditional ceremonies like Geet Gawai (Bhojpuri cultural performance) and planted a sapling at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden.
  • Paid homage at the Samadhi of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (founding father of Mauritius) and Anerood Jugnauth (former President and PM).
  • Over the next five years, 500 civil servants from Mauritius shall receive training in India.

• • Preservation and promotion of the Girmitiya Heritage. 
• Gifts Exchanged: PM gifted Gangajal from Maha Kumbh, Makhana (Bihari superfood), and a Banarasi saree in a Sadeli box to Mauritius President and First Lady.
• Naval Cooperation: Indian naval ship INS Imphal participated in Mauritius’ National Day celebrations.
  • Conducted training, cultural exchanges, and community outreach activities.
• National Day Celebrations: PM attended as Chief Guest of 57th National Day celebrations and reaffirmed India’s commitment to Mauritius’ progress and prosperity.

India-Mauritius Relations

Historical and Cultural Ties

• Indian Diaspora: Nearly 70% of Mauritius’ population (1.2 million) is of Indian origin.
• Colonial History:
  • Mauritius is a former British and French colony that gained independence from British rule in 1968.
  • French Rule (1729): First Indians brought from Puducherry as artisans and masons.
  • British Rule (1834–1900s): Over 500,000 Indian indentured workers arrived; two-thirds settled permanently.
  • Aapravasi Diwas: Celebrated on November 2 to mark the arrival of the first Indian workers in 1834.
• Gandhi’s Influence: Mahatma Gandhi’s visit in 1901 emphasized education, political empowerment, and ties with India. 
  • Mauritius’ National Day (March 12) coincides with Gandhi’s Dandi March.
• Cultural Institutions:
  • Mahatma Gandhi Institute (MGI): Promotes Indian culture and languages.
  • World Hindi Secretariat: Promotes Hindi globally.
  • Indira Gandhi Centre for Indian Culture (IGCIC): Largest Indian cultural center abroad.

Diplomatic Relations

• Established in 1948, even before Mauritius’ independence in 1968.
• High-level political engagement and mutual trust characterize the relationship.
• First Responder: India has consistently supported Mauritius during crises:
  • COVID-19: Supplied medicines, vaccines, and medical teams.
  • Wakashio Oil Spill (2020): Provided technical equipment and salvage support.
  • Cyclone Chido (2024): Utilized Agaléga facilities for disaster relief.

Economic and Trade Relations

• Trade Growth: Bilateral trade grew from USD 206.76 million (2005-06) to USD 851.13 million (2023-24).
  • Indian Exports: Petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, cereals, and textiles.
  • Mauritian Exports: Vanilla, medical devices, and refined copper.
• CECPA: Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement signed in 2021 (India’s first with an African country).
• Indian PSUs: 11 Indian PSUs operate in Mauritius, including Bank of Baroda, LIC, and State Bank of India.
• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI):
  • Mauritius was India’s 2nd largest FDI source (USD 7.97 billion in 2023-24) after Singapore​.
  • Cumulative FDI from Mauritius to India (since 2000): USD 175 billion in FDI into India, accounting for 25% of India’s total FDI inflows.​
  • FDI has declined after the DTAC (Double Taxation Avoidance Convention) amendment (2016)​.

Development Assistance

• Metro Express Project: Funded by India to improve public transport.
• Social Housing Project: Affordable housing for low-income families.
• Agaléga Island Development: India funded an airstrip and jetty for maritime security and disaster response.
• Community Projects: 96 small projects initiated in 2022; 50 completed by 2024.

Defence and Maritime Cooperation

Strategic & Defence Cooperation

• Mauritius as India’s “Sentinel of the Western Indian Ocean”​.
• Maritime Security Agreements:
  • Sharing White-Shipping Information (2025): Enhances real-time data-sharing for safe trade routes​.
  • Access to India’s Information Fusion Centre (IFC-IOR, Gurugram)​.
• Agaléga Island Development (2024):
  • Airstrip & jetty projects, boosting Mauritian Defence Forces​.
  • Officially for infrastructure development, not military use.
• Defence Equipment & Training:
  • India supplies defence equipment & patrol boats.
  • INS Sarvekshak completed hydrographic survey (2024)​.
• Disaster Response: India utilized Agaléga facilities during Cyclone Chido (2024).
• Colombo Security Conclave: Mauritius collaborates with India, Sri Lanka, and Maldives for regional maritime security.

Space Cooperation

• Telemetry, Tracking, and Telecommand station established in 1986.
• Joint Satellite Project: MoU signed between ISRO and Mauritius Research and Innovation Council (MRIC) in 2023.

Cultural and Educational Ties

• Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme: Mauritius is a major beneficiary, with over 4,868 Mauritians trained since 2007-08.
• Scholarships: ICCR scholarships ande-Vidya Bharti Arogya Bharti (e-VBAB) distance learning project for Mauritian students.
• Tourism: Pre-COVID, 80,000 Indian tourists visited Mauritius annually; 30,000 Mauritians visited India.
• Civil Services College (2025): Funded by India for Mauritian government training​.

Diaspora & OCI Cards

• There are approximately 17,403 Indian nationals and 11,600 OCI card holders currently in Mauritius
• Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Cards (2025):
  • Issued to Mauritius PM Navinchandra Ramgoolam & his wife.
  • Extended to the 7th generation of Indian-origin Mauritians​.
• Mauritius has a visa-free regime for Indians (since 2004)​.

Why Mauritius Matters to India?

• Strategic Maritime Partner
  • Mauritius is the “Sentinel of the Western Indian Ocean”, crucial for India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision.
  • India has developed naval infrastructure on Agaléga Island and set up radar networks to enhance maritime security.
  • Chagos Archipelago: India supports Mauritius’ sovereignty claim over the Chagos Islands, disputed with the UK.
• Geopolitical Importance in the Indian Ocean 
  • Counters China’s increasing influence in the region.
  • India has helped Mauritius access the Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) for real-time security updates.
  • India’s infrastructure projects in Mauritius, such as the Metro Express and Agaléga Island development, help balance China’s String of Pearls strategy.
  • Mauritius’ bilingual population (English and French) makes it a gateway for India’s engagement with Francophone Africa.
• Strong Diaspora and Cultural Ties: Nearly 70% of Mauritius’ population is of Indian origin, creating deep people-to-people and cultural connections.
• Tourism: Pre-COVID, 80,000 Indian tourists visited Mauritius annually, and 30,000 Mauritians visited India.

Challenges in India-Mauritius relations

• Declining FDI from Mauritius
  • Impact of DTAA Amendments: The 2016 amendment to the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) reduced Mauritius’ attractiveness as an FDI conduit to India.
    • FDI inflows from Mauritius dropped from USD 15.72 billion (2016-17) to USD 6.13 billion (2022-23).
  • Tax Evasion Concerns: The amendments were aimed at preventing tax evasion and round-tripping of funds, but they also led to a decline in investments.
• Trade Imbalance
  • Uneven Trade: India’s exports to Mauritius far exceed Mauritian exports to India.
    • In 2023-24, Indian exports to Mauritius were USD 778.03 million, while Mauritian exports to India were only USD 73.10 million.
  • Limited Diversification: Trade is concentrated in a few sectors like petroleum products and pharmaceuticals, with limited diversification into other areas.
• Growing Chinese Influence
  • Economic Competition: China has increased its economic footprint in Mauritius through investments in infrastructure, trade, and financial services.
    • China signed a free trade agreement in 2019.
    • By 2020, Chinese investment in Mauritius reached approximately $887 million, reflecting a focus on long-term economic footholds
  • Strategic Concerns: China’s growing presence in the Indian Ocean, including its military base in Djibouti, challenges India’s influence in the region.
• Security Challenges
  • Maritime Threats: Rising piracy, drug trafficking, and illegal fishing in the Indian Ocean pose security risks for both India and Mauritius.
  • Narco-Economy: Mauritius faces challenges from a growing narco-economy, which affects its youth and social stability.
  • Concerns Over Agaléga Island Development: While India is developing airstrip and jetty projects, some in Mauritius fear military use, leading to political debates.
• Slow Implementation of Projects
  • Delays in Infrastructure Projects: Some India-funded projects, like the Metro Express and Social Housing Scheme, have faced delays due to bureaucratic hurdles and implementation issues.
  • Community Projects: Out of 96 small projects initiated in 2022, only 50 have been completed by 2024.
• Chagos Archipelago Dispute
  • Diplomatic Friction: India initially hesitated to support Mauritius’ sovereignty claim over the Chagos Islands, disputed with the UK, due to strategic relations with the UK and the US.
  • Expectations vs Reality: Mauritius expected stronger diplomatic backing from India at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), but India maintained a cautious stance.
• Political Changes in Mauritius
  • New Government: The recent change in government in Mauritius, with Navin Ramgoolam coming to power, could lead to shifts in policy and priorities.
  • Domestic Politics: Anti-India narratives, similar to those in the Maldives, could emerge, complicating bilateral relations.

Way Forward

• Strengthening Economic and Trade Ties: Include more sectors like IT, fintech, and renewable energy under the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA).
  • Encourage Indian businesses to invest in Mauritius, leveraging its bilingual population and preferential trade agreements with African nations.
• Enhancing Maritime Security Cooperation: Increase joint naval drills and training programs to enhance maritime security preparedness.
  • Strengthen real-time data-sharing through the Information Fusion Centre for the Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR).
• Countering China’s Influence: Continue funding key infrastructure projects like the Metro Express and Agaléga Island development to counter China’s String of Pearls strategy.
  • Strengthen high-level political engagement to ensure Mauritius remains a trusted partner.
• Boosting Development Assistance: Address bureaucratic hurdles to ensure timely completion of India-funded projects like Social Housing and Community Development Projects.
  • Expand training programs under the ITEC programme and offer more scholarships to Mauritian students.
• Strengthening Diaspora and Cultural Ties: Extend Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) privileges to the 7th generation of people of Indian origin in Mauritius.
  • Promote tourism, educational exchanges, and cultural programs to strengthen people-to-people ties.
• Addressing Security Challenges: Collaborate on anti-drug trafficking initiatives to address the growing narco-economy in Mauritius.
  • Enhance coastal radar networks and joint surveillance to tackle piracy, illegal fishing, and smuggling.

Conclusion

India and Mauritius share deep historical, cultural, and strategic ties, making Mauritius a key partner in the Indian Ocean and Africa outreach. By addressing challenges and enhancing economic, security, and diplomatic cooperation, both nations can further solidify their partnership for mutual growth and regional stability.

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