Modi in Mauritius: How India is helping strengthen the island nation's defences

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday arrived in Mauritius.

Modi is set to attend the island nation’s national day celebrations as the chief guest.

During his two-day visit, Modi will hold meetings with the island nation’s top leadership including Mauritius President Dharam Gokhool and Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam as well as other senior dignitaries.

Modi in a statement said he was looking forward to engaging with the leadership of Mauritius to elevate “our partnership in all its facets and strengthen our enduring friendship for the progress and prosperity of our peoples”.

“Mauritius is a close maritime neighbour, a key partner in the Indian Ocean, and a gateway to the African Continent. We are connected by history, geography and culture,” Modi said.

“Deep mutual trust, a shared belief in the values of democracy, and celebration of our diversity are our strengths,” he added.

In the backdrop of Modi’s visit, let’s examine how India is helping strengthen Mauritius’ defences and why Mauritius matters to India.

How India is strengthening Mauritius’ defences

India and Mauritius have deepened defence cooperation over the past decade.

This is in line with India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) first outlined by Modi in 2015.

Modi made the remarks in March 2015 in Mauritius on the occasion of the commissioning of MCGS Barracuda – the first Indian-built warship to be inducted into the Mauritius National Coast Guard.

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“We seek a future for the Indian Ocean that lives up to the name of SAGAR – Security and Growth for All in the Region. We should be inspired by the Monsoon, which nurtures and connects us all in the region. We will strive to unite our region in partnership, as we were once in geography. An Ocean that connects our world should become the pathway of peace and prosperity for all,” Modi said, , as per The Shillong Times.

“It is no coincidence that I speak of our hopes for the Indian Ocean Region in Mauritius. Our partnership with Mauritius is among our strongest maritime relationships in the world, Our partnership will grow. We will together build our capabilities. We will also train and patrol the seas together,” Modi added.

As per Hindustan Times, India has since given the Mauritius Coast Guard two vessels as well as some fast interceptor craft.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri pointed to the induction of the CGS Barracuda – provided through a grant as well as loan assistance as well as the CGS Victory – into the coast guard.

“And in addition, there is a whole bunch of fast interceptor craft that were also provided to Mauritius. We have been providing them with these kinds of assets and if there is a need felt for more to be done in this regard, we would be ready to examine those proposals as well,” Misri said.

In 2016, the Mauritius Coast Guard Service commissioned into service ten 14.5 metre long Fast Interceptor Boats (FIBs) ordered from Indian shipbuilder Goa Shipyards Limited.

In 2017, the then Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth commissioned the second of the two Water Jet Fast Patrol Vessels “CGS Valiant” into its coast guard.

The CGS Valiant thus became the third such ship to be commissioned into the National Coast Guard of Mauritius supplied by an India Defence Shipyard.

The Indian Navy also provided training to its crew.

India and Mauritius, during Modi’s 2015 visit, had signed an MoU to enhance transport facilities on Agaléga island, improving sea and air connectivity.

As per Indian Express, the agreement said the infrastructure “for improving sea and air connectivity at the Outer Island of Mauritius will go a long way in ameliorating the condition of the inhabitants of this remote Island. These facilities will enhance the capabilities of the Mauritian Defence Forces in safeguarding their interests in the Outer Island.”

India has since helped Mauritius in its efforts to expand an airstrip and jetty on Agaléga island.

As per ORF, in 2024, Modi and then Mauritius prime minister Jugnauth jointly inaugurated the new airstrip and jetty on Agaléga.

The archipelago of Agaléga is around 1,100 kilometres north of Mauritius.

Comprising two islands, it has Seychelles to its north, the Maldives, the US base Diego Garcia and Chagos Island to its east, and Madagascar, the Mozambique Channel, and the entire eastern coast of Africa to the west.

Agaléga island’s strategic location makes it a prime target for illicit activities such as terrorism, piracy and the drug trade.

As per Hindustan Times, India’s efforts will help Mauritius keep an eye on its vast exclusive economic zone of 2.3 million square kilometres.

The two countries are also slated to sign a technical agreement on swapping information on white shipping.

The Shillong Times quoted Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri as saying this would further increase Mauritius’ maritime security, make its trading corridors safer, and enhance regional cooperation in real-time sharing of data.

“This will involve not just the Indian Navy, but also the Mauritius police force in an effort to combat these kinds of activities,” Misri said.

“There is an allied MoU that will be signed between the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) with the Ministry of Earth Sciences and the Prime Minister’s Office from the Mauritius side, which also establishes a comprehensive framework for cooperation on ocean observation, research and information management, and enhancing maritime zone management in Mauritius,” Misri added.

As per The Hindu, India and Mauritius in 1974 firmed an agreement to send Indian defence officials to train its coast guard and helicopter squadron.

Dozens of Mauritian police officials train at Indian defence training academies every year.

According to Indian Express, Mauritius is one of the biggest beneficiaries of the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme.

Since 2002-03, India has trained around 4,940 Mauritians under the programme’s civilian and defence slots.

As per NextIAS, India has provided Mauritius a $100 million credit line to bolster its defence.

Misri noted that New Delhi has also supported Mauritius in its stance on its sovereignty over Chagos archipelago.

“We have supported Mauritius in its stance on its sovereignty over Chagos. And this is obviously in keeping with our longstanding position with regard to decolonization and support for sovereignty and territorial integrity of our other countries. And its only fitting for us to articulate this support for partners such as Mauritius," Misri said.

“You are also aware that for quite some time there have been extensive discussions and negotiations that were held between Mauritius and the UK last year. The previous government in Mauritius was also involved with these negotiations, and certain arrangement had been arrived at. Naturally, after a new government has taken power in Mauritius, they have taken a relook at some of the provisions…

“Nevertheless, it is something that has continued to be discussed between Mauritius and the UK, and we understand that they have engaged each other quite intensively and have also, perhaps, arrived at a mutually acceptable deal on the subject. The details are really for them to agree on,” he added.

This is in keeping with country’s long-standing position with regard to decolonisation and support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries, Misri added.

The foreign secretary said India and Mauritius will sign a memorandum of understanding between Enforcement Directorate and the Financial Crimes Commission of Mauritius.

The idea is to provide intelligence and technical assistance cooperation on anti-corruption and anti-money laundering activities.

It will also help in identifying emerging trends, knowledge exchange, and adapting to new methodologies in this particular area, Misri added.

Why Mauritius matters

Experts say Mauritius plays a pivotal role in India’s SAGAR vision due to its strategic location in the western Indian Ocean.

ORF noted that the new infrastructure in the archipelago of Agaléga will bolster India’s image as a maritime power and enhance its presence in the Indian Ocean Region.

“Mauritius is a key part of India’s neighbourhood policy. With India continuing to solidify its influence in the region, the challenge from China is only likely to grow. Nonetheless, as India aims to strengthen its foothold in the IOR and enhance its role as a net security provider while maintaining the pre-eminence of the Indian Navy, its partnership with Mauritius will remain a decisive factor,” the piece noted.

A piece in Indian Express noted Beijing’s growing footprint in the Indian Ocean region has been noted with alarm in New Delhi.

India thus wants to work closely with island countries like Mauritius.

“These facilities have additionally assisted Mauritius in its maritime surveillance, patrolling of its vast Exclusive Economic Zone and safeguarding the assets of its blue economy ecosystem from challenges such as piracy, as well as drug and human trafficking,” the piece noted.

With inputs from agencies