 "PM Modi throws his weight behind Mauritius as it negotiates Chagos deal with UK.")
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday reaffirmed support for Mauritius’ sovereignty, backing the island nation’s claim over the Chagos Islands.
This development comes as Mauritius has called for a fresh deal on the Chagos Archipelago, which hosts a military base operated by the US and UK.
Efforts are underway to reach a formal treaty to resolve a decades-old dispute between London and Port Louis.
“In the context of Chagos, we fully respect the sovereignty of Mauritius,” PM Modi said during a joint press briefing with Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam.
“A free, open, secure, and safe Indian Ocean is our shared priority,” Modi said against a backdrop of China’s expanding influence in the region.
PM Modi stated that the two countries will enhance their cooperation through forums such as the Colombo Security Conclave, the Indian Ocean Rim Association, and the Indian Ocean Conference.
PM Modi lands in Delhi
PM Modi returned to Delhi on Thursday from Mauritius after a two-day state visit.
India is proud to be a trusted partner
During his meeting with the Mauritius PM, Modi said India is proud to be a trusted partner in Mauritius’ development, and both nations will work together to support the Global South.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsDuring his trip, Modi served as the chief guest at Mauritius’s National Day celebrations on 12 March 2025. This was the second time Modi attended the event in this honorary role, the first being in 2015.
Honoured with country’s highest award
In a historic move, Modi was later honoured with the country’s highest award, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean. He became the first Indian to receive this honour.
Agreement between Mauritius and Britain
Last month, Trump said he would support an agreement between Mauritius and Britain on the future of the US-British military base in the Chagos Archipelago, a group of over 60 islands in the Indian Ocean.
Diego Garcia, the largest island in the archipelago, has been home to a joint British-US military base since the 1970s.