Modi’s Mauritius visit: Strengthening ties under the MAHASAGAR framework

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Mauritius on March 11-12 under the enhanced SAGAR doctrine of “Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions" (MAHASAGAR) marked a significant milestone in Indo-Mauritian relations.

The visit underscored India’s commitment to fostering deeper cooperation with its close maritime partner in the Indian Ocean. The warm reception extended to Modi by the entire Mauritian government at the airport at 6 am reflected the deep-rooted historical, cultural, and strategic bonds between the two nations. Additionally, Modi’s personal acknowledgement of Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam as his “friend” reinforced the warmth between the two leaders and the strong diplomatic ties.

Historical and Cultural Significance

India and Mauritius share a profound historical and socio-cultural connection, largely due to the significant Indian diaspora in Mauritius. Approximately 70 per cent of the Mauritian population is of Indian descent, a legacy of the 19th-century indentured labour system under British colonial rule. This connection continues to influence the political, economic, and cultural dimensions of their relationship.

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Mauritius has long accorded India a special place in its diplomatic engagements. Indian leaders have frequently been invited as chief guests for key national celebrations. Notably, Indian President Droupadi Murmu was the chief guest in Mauritius last year, marking the sixth instance when an Indian president was honoured with this recognition. Such gestures highlight the mutual appreciation and reverence between the two nations.

Economic Ties and Trade Relations

Economically, Mauritius has positioned itself as a gateway to Africa, particularly after the replacement of the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) with a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA) in 2021. While this agreement was expected to attract more Indian businesses, the results have been mixed. Many Indian companies still prefer direct market entry into Africa rather than using Mauritius as a conduit, thereby limiting the island nation’s envisioned role as a regional financial hub.

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Mauritius and GIFT City (Gujarat International Finance Tec-City) have a growing link, with Mauritius-based funds relocating to GIFT City, and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed to enhance cooperation between the two financial centres.

Trade relations between the two countries have seen a steady growth trajectory. India remains a key supplier of essential goods and services to Mauritius. However, Mauritius’s economic landscape is increasingly shaped by its trade relationships with other Asian countries, particularly China.

In 2023, Mauritius imported goods worth $993.08 million from China, whereas its exports to China were a mere $26.32 million. This imbalance highlights the need for Mauritius to diversify its trade partnerships and explore ways to boost its exports to key economies, including India. Indian exports to Mauritius in 2023 were $646 million, including $138 million in refined petroleum products. Mauritian exports to India were $64 million, of which $24 million was scrap iron. Diversity and depth are lacking in this sector.

Defence and Security Cooperation

As part of the MAHASAGAR initiative, Modi’s visit reaffirmed India’s commitment to enhancing maritime security in the Indian Ocean region. Given the growing strategic competition in the region, India has been strengthening its naval and defence cooperation with Mauritius. The island nation’s strategic location makes it a crucial partner for India in countering external threats and ensuring maritime stability.

During the visit, India and Mauritius signed multiple agreements aimed at bolstering security ties. These agreements encompass joint defence exercises, increased cooperation in intelligence sharing, and the provision of advanced surveillance equipment. Strengthening maritime security is a key objective, especially in light of increased Chinese naval activity in the Indian Ocean.

Infrastructure and Development Projects

India has played a crucial role in supporting Mauritius’s infrastructure development. Several high-profile projects were announced or reviewed during Modi’s visit, including the Metro Express, the Supreme Court Building, social housing initiatives, and an ENT hospital. These projects not only enhance Mauritius’s infrastructure but also solidify India’s role as a development partner.

Additionally, India introduced the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and Rupay card services in Mauritius, aiming to facilitate smoother financial transactions and boost trade and tourism. Another significant announcement was the establishment of Jan Aushadhi Kendras, ensuring affordable and quality medicines for the Mauritian public. These initiatives align with India’s broader goal of supporting economic resilience and technological advancement in partner nations.

Education, Human Capital, and Cultural Exchanges

Despite the historical ties, India faces challenges in engaging the younger generation of Mauritians. Economic prosperity has enabled many young Mauritians to pursue higher education in Western countries, leading to a decline in educational exchanges with India. Currently, the number of Mauritian students in India is significantly lower than those from Kenya, Sudan, or Ethiopia.

Indian tourism to Mauritius has crossed pre-COVID levels, and now over 1 lakh Indians visit Mauritius annually. As many as 30,000 Mauritian visitors come to India annually. Direct flights from Delhi and Mumbai are augmented by new direct flights from Bengaluru too.

To partly address this, India has expanded its Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program slots to 400 and facilitated the arrival of 385 young Mauritians through the Know India Program. These efforts aim to familiarise the younger generation with Indian culture and education, strengthening long-term bilateral ties.

A key cultural initiative highlighted during Modi’s visit was the revitalisation of Ganga Talao, a sacred Hindu pilgrimage site considered the 13th Jyotirlinga by Mauritians. This project holds immense religious and cultural significance and symbolises India’s continued commitment to preserving shared heritage sites abroad.

Strategic and Diplomatic Implications

Modi’s visit to Mauritius was not just a ceremonial occasion; it was a strategic manoeuvre to reinforce India’s influence in the Indian Ocean and counter growing Chinese investments in the region. The geopolitical landscape of the Indo-Pacific is evolving, and Mauritius serves as a pivotal partner in India’s broader strategy to secure its maritime interests.

The recalibration of Indo-Mauritian relations is essential for sustaining mutual growth and security. By continuing collaboration in infrastructure, defence, economic development, and cultural exchange, India and Mauritius can fortify their historical bond and ensure a mutually beneficial partnership in the years to come.

Conclusion

Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Mauritius under the MAHASAGAR framework was a testament to the enduring partnership between the two nations. It reaffirmed India’s strategic commitment to Mauritius, highlighting efforts to bolster economic cooperation, security collaboration, and cultural engagements.

As Mauritius seeks to solidify its position as a financial and trade hub for Africa, its relationship with India will be crucial in navigating future challenges and opportunities. The visit not only strengthened diplomatic and economic ties but also reinforced the deep-rooted cultural and historical connections that make Indo-Mauritian relations unique. Moving forward, sustained collaboration will be key to ensuring a prosperous and secure future for both nations.

The author is a former ambassador to Germany, Indonesia, Ethiopia, ASEAN and the African Union. He tweets @AmbGurjitSingh. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.