India and Mauritius upgraded their bilateral ties to ‘enhanced strategic partnership’ and signed eight agreements, focusing on trade, maritime security, and development cooperation. Prime Minister Modi unveiled the MAHASAGAR initiative, emphasizing mutual security and sustainable growth, while reaffirming long-standing relations and commitments to support each other in the Indian Ocean region.
On Wednesday, India and Mauritius established an ‘enhanced strategic partnership’ and signed eight agreements aimed at strengthening cooperation across multiple sectors, including trade and maritime security. This initiative coincided with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for the Global South, dubbed “MAHASAGAR,” which stands for “Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions.”
Among the agreements, significant efforts are directed towards promoting the use of national currencies for cross-border transactions, sharing maritime data, combating money laundering, and boosting cooperation within the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector.
During the second day of his two-day visit to Port Louis, PM Modi served as the chief guest for Mauritius’s national day celebrations. The occasion saw participation from an Indian armed forces contingent, along with a warship and the Indian Air Force’s Akash Ganga skydiving team.
In bilateral discussions with Mauritian Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Modi emphasized the need for a secure and open Indian Ocean, framing defence cooperation and maritime security as essential components of their strategic partnership. Modi pledged India’s full support to ensure the security of Mauritius’ Exclusive Economic Zone.
The unveiling of the “MAHASAGAR” vision takes place a decade after Modi proposed the SAGAR policy in 2015, aiming to address matters of security and growth in the region. Modi pointed out that the new vision prioritizes trade for development, sustainable capacity building, and mutual security through technology sharing and financial cooperation.
Additionally, India committed to assist in building Mauritius’ new Parliament building, showcasing its role as the ‘Mother of Democracy.’ The PM also promised assistance to the Mauritian Coast Guard and the setup of a police academy along with a national maritime information sharing center.
Enhanced cooperation will also focus on white shipping, blue economy, and hydrography, with India expressing respect for Mauritius’ sovereignty concerning the Chagos Islands. India is backing Mauritius’ negotiations with the UK regarding Chagos, where the UK has agreed to transfer sovereignty after decades of ownership.
Amidst ongoing discussions, Modi and Ramgoolam classified the India-Mauritius relationship as an “Enhanced Strategic Partnership,” highlighting their mutual support in various spheres, from disaster response to defense and education. Modi noted, “We have set new records in development cooperation and capacity building.”
Several projects funded by India will advance in Mauritius, including the modernization of a 100-kilometer water pipeline, with a new phase of community development projects worth 500 million Mauritian rupees announced. Some of the ongoing projects include the metro express, a new supreme court building, social housing initiatives, an ENT hospital, and digital payment integration with UPI and Rupay Cards.
Lastly, PM Modi referenced people-to-people connections, indicating plans to collaborate on AI and Digital Public Infrastructure for human development, as well as facilitating pilgrimage tourism for Mauritius citizens through initiatives like the Char Dham Yatra and Ramayana trail in India.
The longstanding ties between India and Mauritius are significantly reinforced by the large Indian-origin population, which makes up nearly 70% of the 1.2 million residents in Mauritius. Since 2005, India has remained a primary trading partner for the island nation.
The recent summit between India and Mauritius has significantly enhanced their strategic partnership through the signing of eight key agreements aimed at boosting trade, security, and development cooperation. The establishment of the MAHASAGAR vision marks a crucial step in addressing regional challenges, particularly in the Indian Ocean. Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to mutual support across various sectors, ensuring joint efforts towards sustainable growth and security.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
