India-Mauritius Relations - A Strategic and Historical Perspective

Context:

• India and Mauritius share a deep-rooted relationship, influenced by historical, cultural, and strategic ties. Mauritius is one of the closest nations to India.
• There are numerous connections between Delhi and Port Louis (capital of Mauritius), including the fact that around 70% of the island's 1.3 million residents are of Indian descent.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Mauritius in 2025, a decade after his 2015 visit, underscores India’s commitment to enhancing this bilateral partnership.

Historical and Geopolitical Significance of Mauritius:

• Mauritius has a colonial history involving Portuguese, Dutch, French, and British powers.
• Gained independence from Britain in 1968; however, colonial disputes persisted over the Chagos archipelago
• The recent UK-Mauritius agreement on Chagos has significant legal, geopolitical, and humanitarian implications. 

India’s Strategic Engagement in the Western Indian Ocean:

• Modi’s 2015 visit marked India’s recognition of the renewed geopolitical importance of the region.
• India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) doctrine highlights the strategic relevance of the Indian Ocean.
• Growing influence of multiple global players like China, Russia, Europe, and Gulf countries in the region necessitates proactive Indian engagement.

Chagos Archipelago Dispute and Its Resolution:

• Britain separated Chagos (into the “British Indian Ocean Territory”) from Mauritius before independence, leasing Diego Garcia to the US for a military base.
• Mauritius led a global campaign to reclaim sovereignty, backed by a 2019 International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion.
• The recent UK-Mauritius agreement affirms Mauritius’s sovereignty, allows a 99-year lease extension for the US base, and ensures India’s regional security concerns against China’s expansion.

The Role of Mauritius in Global Geopolitics:

• Historically called the "Star and Key of the Indian Ocean," Mauritius has been a critical hub for maritime trade and global interactions.
• Its importance fluctuated with the Suez Canal’s opening and Cold War geopolitics but has resurged due to China’s strategic interests.
• China has engaged Mauritius through infrastructure projects, economic investments, and diplomatic outreach.

India’s Maritime and Security Cooperation with Mauritius:

• India is constructing logistics infrastructure on Agaléga Island, reinforcing its maritime security
• Mauritius serves as a crucial point in countering China’s expanding influence in the Indian Ocean.
• India’s diplomatic efforts have positioned it as a reliable strategic partner, not merely a nation with shared ethnic ties.

Emerging Geopolitical Contours in the Western Indian Ocean:

• China, Russia, Iran, Turkey, and Gulf nations are increasing their presence in the region.
• Europe is seeking to reassert influence in the Indian Ocean.
• Mauritius has balanced its global partnerships while maintaining strategic autonomy.

Conclusion:

• PM Modi’s visit to Mauritius signifies India’s commitment to strengthening strategic ties.
• The Indo-Mauritian partnership extends beyond historical and cultural ties, playing a pivotal role in India’s maritime security and regional stability.
• As global power dynamics shift, India’s role in the Western Indian Ocean will remain crucial in countering China’s influence and securing its maritime interests.

Q1. Discuss the historical significance of Mauritius in global geopolitics.

Ans. Mauritius has been a strategic hub (serving as a key maritime route) due to its colonial past involving European powers and its location in the Western Indian Ocean.

Q2. What is the SAGAR doctrine, and how does it shape India’s engagement with the Western Indian Ocean?

Ans. The SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) doctrine, announced by PM Modi in 2015, focuses on enhancing maritime security, economic cooperation, and regional stability in the Indian Ocean.

Q3. Explain the geopolitical significance of the Chagos Archipelago dispute and its resolution.

Ans. The Chagos dispute highlights decolonization challenges; the UK-Mauritius agreement reaffirmed Mauritius’s sovereignty while extending the US military base lease, countering China’s influence in the region.

Q4. How is India strengthening its maritime security presence in Mauritius?

Ans. India is constructing logistics infrastructure on Agaléga Island, deepening strategic ties with Mauritius while countering China’s growing influence in the Indian Ocean.

Q5. Why is the Western Indian Ocean witnessing intensified geopolitical competition?

Ans. The region’s strategic location, China’s increasing naval presence, economic interests of Gulf nations, and renewed European involvement have made it a contested geopolitical space 

Source:E