Recently, the Prime Minister of India visited  Mauritius , and was   the guest of honour in the Mauritius Independence Day celebrations. 

India-Mauritius Relations

• Diaspora: Mauritius and India share a unique relationship due to their historical, cultural, and demographic connections.
  • Nearly 70% of Mauritius’s 1.3 million people are of Indian origin, strengthening ethnic and political ties.
• Strategic Identity: Despite close historical and ethnic ties, Mauritius is an independent geopolitical actor with its own strategic priorities. 
  • The country’s colonial history, involving Portuguese, Dutch, French, and British rule, underscores its complex political evolution.
• Diplomatic Commitment: India’s support for Mauritius’s sovereignty over Chagos reflects its diplomatic commitment to the island nation.
• Strengthening Maritime security: The construction of logistics infrastructure on Agaléga Island strengthens India’s maritime security presence.
• Strategic Location: Mauritius’s location in the Western Indian Ocean makes it vital for India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All) strategy.
• Maritime Node: Dubbed the “Star and Key of the Indian Ocean”, Mauritius has historically been a crucial maritime node.
• Decline: Its importance declined after the opening of the Suez Canal but resurged during the World Wars and Cold War.
  • US-Soviet rivalry in the Cold War heightened the region’s strategic contestation
• China’s Expansionism: China’s economic and military expansion in the Indian Ocean littoral increases strategic competition. Key indicators of China’s growing role:
  • Naval power projection and infrastructure investments in Africa and the Middle East.
  • First foreign military base in Djibouti.
  • Engagement with Mauritius and other island states through diplomatic forums.
  • Beyond military strategy, China values Mauritius’s geo-economic position as a financial hub
• Geopolitical Contest: European nations seek to reclaim strategic influence in the Western Indian Ocean. Gulf states, Russia, Iran, and Turkey are also deepening their presence in the region.

Significance of the Indian Ocean

• Geopolitical: Modi’s 2015 visit to Mauritius and Seychelles recognized the Western Indian Ocean’s rising geopolitical importance.
• SAGAR: The SAGAR (Security and Growth for All) doctrine highlighted the need to prioritize the Indian Ocean in India’s foreign policy.
• Multiple global actors: including Europe, China, Russia, Gulf states, and Turkey—are vying for influence in the region.

Chagos Archipelago Dispute

• Leasing: Britain separated Chagos from Mauritius in 1968 and leased Diego Garcia to the United States for a military base.
• Reclaiming the Island: Over decades, Mauritius led a diplomatic and legal campaign to reclaim sovereignty over Chagos.
• Significance of the Island: The UK-Mauritius agreement on Chagos has legal, geopolitical, and humanitarian significance:
  • Legal: Aligns with the 2019 International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling supporting Mauritius’s claim.
  • Geopolitical: Strengthens decolonization principles and international law.
  • Humanitarian: Addresses the displacement of people during decolonization.
  • Environmental Cooperation: Forms the basis for long-term ecological collaboration between Mauritius and the UK.

Significance of Diego Garcia

• Countering Chinese Influence: Mauritius extended the lease on Diego Garcia for 99 years, ensuring the continuation of the US military base.
  • Despite criticism from UK Tories and US Republicans, this move counteracts Chinese influence rather than enabling it.
• Facilitator: US President Donald Trump endorsed the agreement during British PM Keir Starmer’s visit to Washington. 
  • India played a key role in facilitating this pragmatic agreement, aligning with its regional security interests.

Conclusion

Mauritius has cultivated balanced relations with global powers while maintaining strategic autonomy. India’s partnership is based on trust and mutual benefit, not just ethnic ties.

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