Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Mauritius on March 11 and 12 saw the two governments elevate their bilateral relationship to an “enhanced strategic partnership.”
According to the Joint Vision for an Enhanced Strategic Partnership, India and Mauritius will “counter growing threats and challenges in the region.” They will “continue cooperation on provisioning defense and maritime assets and equipment” in keeping with “the needs and priorities of Mauritius,” step up “maritime cooperation through increased deployment of ships and aircraft for joint maritime surveillance and hydrography surveys,” and secure Mauritius’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), “including through enhanced utilization of [the] newly built runway and jetty at Agalega.”
In addition, India will assist Mauritius set up a National Maritime Information Sharing Center to improve maritime domain awareness, and provide “customized training and capacity-building initiatives” for the Mauritius Police Force. The two governments also agreed to collaborate in marine operations and engineering, as well as port safety, emergency response, and security.
India and Mauritius reaffirmed that “defense cooperation and maritime security are key pillars” of the bilateral partnership. In addition to providing Mauritius with helicopters, ships, aircraft, and fast interceptor boats, India has extended Mauritius lines of credit for the purchase of Indian defense equipment. It has helped Mauritius set up its Coastal Surveillance Radar System. In 2024, the two countries jointly inaugurated an India-funded and built 3-kilometer-long airstrip and a jetty at Agalega island at a cost of $192 million.
India and Mauritius share a close relationship. There are strong historical, kinship, and cultural bonds between the two countries. People of Indian origin, descendants of those taken from India as indentured labor to Mauritius during French and British colonial rule, comprise nearly 70 percent of the island’s 1.2 million population.
Economic ties are strong; not only is Mauritius among the top sources of foreign direct investment into India but also trade is robust. India has been among Mauritius’ top trade partners, and trade turnover is poised to grow with the two countries signing the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement in 2021. India has also been Mauritius’ first responder in times of crisis, whether during pandemics, cyclones, or oil spills.
“The sheer depth, scale and expanse of India’s engagement with Mauritius indicates the latter’s importance to New Delhi,” a former Indian security official told The Diplomat. Mauritius figures among India’s top five recipients of foreign aid, he pointed out.
During Modi’s visit, the two countries signed eight Memorandums of Understanding, relating to trade in local currencies, a credit facility arrangement to finance water infrastructure projects, training of public officials, sharing of maritime data, collaboration in combating financial crimes, and cooperation in the micro, small, and medium enterprises sector. Modi also announced that India would build Mauritius’ new parliament building and assist it in implementing several development projects.
ndia continues to emphasize Mauritius as a key partner in its Indian Ocean Region strategy, reflecting the deep historical, cultural, and strategic ties between the two nations. In recent high-level discussions, Indian officials underscored the importance of Mauritius in fostering regional stability, enhancing maritime security, and promoting economic cooperation.
Mauritius, located at a strategic crossroads in the Indian Ocean, plays a vital role in India’s vision for a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific. As part of this partnership, India has extended support to Mauritius in areas such as infrastructure development, capacity building, and defense cooperation. Projects like the development of the Agalega Island facilities and collaborative efforts in combating piracy and maritime threats highlight the strength of this bilateral relationship.
The shared commitment to democratic values, mutual interests, and regional prosperity continues to drive India’s engagement with Mauritius. This partnership not only benefits the two nations but also contributes to ensuring peace and security in the broader Indian Ocean region.
