PM Narendra Modi’s recent state visit to Mauritius focused on enhancing bilateral ties with a mutual emphasis on a secure Indian Ocean. Key agreements were made on trade, civil service training, and maritime security, while reaffirming India’s support for Mauritius’ sovereignty over the Chagos archipelago. Cultural and developmental initiatives were also outlined, representing a commitment to strong partnerships.
During his state visit to Mauritius, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the significance of a “free, open, secure, and safe” Indian Ocean, which he stated is a mutual priority for both India and Mauritius. In a collaborative statement with Mauritian Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, he reaffirmed India’s unwavering support for Mauritius’ claim over the Chagos archipelago, noting a recently concluded agreement between the U.K. and Mauritius regarding sovereignty over the islands.
PM Modi announced initiatives including training for 500 Mauritian civil servants in India over the next five years and the establishment of mutually beneficial trade agreements using local currencies. He highlighted that defense cooperation and maritime security are essential to the strategic alliance, ensuring that India would provide necessary assistance to enhance the capabilities of the Coast Guard.
In further commitments, PM Modi promised support for creating a Police Academy and a National Maritime Information Sharing Centre in Mauritius. He assured that India would advocate for Mauritian sovereignty at various international platforms and pledged to help safeguard the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone, which gained significance during the negotiations regarding Chagos. Additionally, he confirmed the continuation of U.S. military operations at Diego Garcia for the next 99 years under the new agreement.
Highlighting cultural ties, PM Modi stated that travelers from Mauritius would receive support for holy pilgrimages in India and announced new bilateral development projects valued at 500 million Mauritian rupees. Both nations also finalized eight memoranda of understanding, aiming to facilitate trade and economic cooperation through local currencies.
Highlighting the agreement’s potential to promote local currency transactions, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri explained its objectives, which include enhancing trade, tourism, and business interactions between the two countries. He indicated the necessity for the Reserve Bank of India and the Bank of Mauritius to effectively implement the agreements.
Moreover, the discussions led to agreements for information sharing on white shipping activities, which aims to improve maritime domain awareness for Mauritius. This exchange between the Indian Navy and Mauritius is intended to bolster maritime security, ensuring safer trade routes by enabling real-time data sharing to combat illegal activities.
In summary, PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Mauritius underscored the critical importance of partnerships in ensuring a secure Indian Ocean. The agreements reached in training, trade, and maritime security position both nations to enhance cooperation significantly, while reaffirming India’s support for Mauritius on the sovereignty issue of the Chagos archipelago. These developments promise to foster deeper ties, mutual support, and enhanced security in the region.
Original Source: www.thehindu.com
