India, Mauritius elevate ties to ‘enhanced strategic partnership’

India and Mauritius have decided to elevate their ties to an “enhanced strategic partnership,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Mauritius counterpart, Navin Chandra Ramgoolam, said this week.

Delhi has also announced projects worth 500 million Mauritian rupees (Rs100 crore, or about $11 million) in that country, including the construction of Mauritius’ new Parliament building, while both sides agreed to settle mutual trade in local currency.

During his address on Mauritius’ 57th National Day, where he was the chief guest at the invitation of his Mauritian counterpart Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Modi emphasized the African nation’s significance as a key partner in the Global South, Indian Ocean, and African continent.

Recalling his visit to the country in 2015 , when he launched Vision SAGAR (“Security and Growth for All”), he announced an expanded vision—MAHASAGAR (“Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions”).

This initiative, he said, would focus on trade-driven development, capacity building for sustainable growth, and mutual security.

India will support this through technology sharing, concessional loans, and grants, he said.

Reaffirming India’s support for Mauritius’ sovereignty over Chagos Island, which was under British rule until October last year, Modi said, “We fully respect Mauritius’ sovereignty over Chagos,” while pledging cooperation through forums such as the Colombo Security Conclave, Indian Ocean Rim Association, and Indian Ocean Conference.

While the UK has returned sovereignty of Chagos, including Diego Garcia, Mauritius remains its administrator under a 99-year lease agreement, allowing its continued use as a US-UK military base.

Modi and Ramgoolam also agreed that defense cooperation and maritime security are the key pillars of their strategic partnership.

“A free, open, secure, and safe Indian Ocean is our shared priority,” Modi said, reaffirming India’s commitment to securing Mauritius’ Exclusive Economic Zone and supporting its Coast Guard.

He also offered Indian assistance in establishing a Police Academy and National Maritime Information Sharing Centre in Mauritius and pledged cooperation in white shipping, the blue economy, and hydrography.

Modi announced that India would build Mauritius’ new Parliament building as a gift from the ‘Mother of Democracy,’ and help modernize its 100-km-long water pipeline.

Additionally, he launched phase 2 of community development projects worth 500 million Mauritian rupees, committing to training 500 Mauritian civil servants in India over the next five years.

Highlighting India’s contributions to Mauritius, Modi noted that initiatives such as Metro Express, the country’s first light rail transit system, will enhance urban connectivity and ease traffic congestion.

Other projects, including the Supreme Court building, social housing, and ENT (ear, nose, and throat) hospital, will improve infrastructure and public health services, he said.

Modi also stressed on digital innovations such as Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and RuPay, which will facilitate seamless financial transactions, boosting trade and tourism, while Jan Aushadhi Kendras, or government-backed pharmacies, will ensure access to affordable medicines, he added.