India and Mauritius have elevated their ties to an ‘enhanced strategic partnership’ to counter China’s growing influence in the Indian Ocean. This development occurred during Prime Minister Modi’s visit, where strong commitments to cooperation in maritime security and community development were made. Both nations signed eight agreements and emphasized collaboration in key sectors amidst rising Chinese economic engagement in Mauritius.

Recently, India and Mauritius have enhanced their bilateral relations, a strategic move aimed at countering China’s growing influence in the Indian Ocean. This development was announced during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to Mauritius, a critical location for maritime routes in the region. Modi was invited as the chief guest at Mauritius’s National Day celebrations, where he announced the elevation of their ties to an “enhanced strategic partnership.”

Discussions between Prime Minister Modi and Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam emphasized commitments to maintain a “free, safe, secure and open Indian Ocean”. During this visit, Mauritius honored Modi with its highest civilian award. In addition, both nations signed eight agreements focused on enhancing cooperation in several domains including maritime security. Modi also pledged approximately $11 million for community development initiatives and promised assistance in constructing a new parliament for Mauritius, emphasizing India’s role as a supportive partner.

While India has historically maintained strong relations with Mauritius, the visit came at a time when China’s presence in the region is notably increasing. Analysts highlight that India must enhance its engagement to address the challenges posed by China, especially given that approximately 70% of Mauritius’s population has Indian heritage. Harsh Pant, an expert from the Observer Research Foundation, noted the importance of continual Indian involvement in areas like health, education, and maritime capabilities to strengthen its influence.

The economic relationship between Mauritius and China has expanded, with a free trade agreement that took effect in 2021 resulting in bilateral trade reaching $1.1 billion, marking a 10.1% increase from the previous year. As regional geopolitics intensify, both India and China are working to fortify ties with Indian Ocean nations. During Modi’s visit, Indian naval cooperation was evident as an Indian navy contingent participated in the National Day parade, and the INS Imphal destroyer visited Port Louis.

India’s infrastructure development in Mauritius, including an airstrip and a jetty on the small Agalega islands, marks its strategic commitment in the region, providing a means to monitor maritime traffic in the western Indian Ocean. C. Raja Mohan emphasized the significance of these developments in highlighting Mauritius’s geopolitical importance and India’s ascending maritime interests.

Additionally, Indian officials have expressed support for Mauritius’s sovereignty in a pending agreement with the United Kingdom regarding the Chagos Islands. The deal involves the transfer of these islands to Mauritius while allowing Britain to retain a military base on Diego Garcia. Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri reiterated India’s commitment to Mauritius’s sovereignty in this context, aligning with its longstanding principles of decolonization.

The enhanced relations between India and Mauritius indicate a significant strategic initiative to counterbalance China’s influence in the Indian Ocean region. Through various agreements and mutual pledges of support, India aims to bolster its presence and aid Mauritius in critical sectors. The dynamics of this partnership reveal the ongoing geopolitical competition within the Indian Ocean, which demands proactive engagement from both nations to address emerging challenges.

Original Source: www.voanews.com

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