PM MODI’S VISIT TO MAURITIUS

PM MODI’S VISIT TO MAURITIUS

• Date of Visit: Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Mauritius on March 11, 2025 for a two-day state visit.
• This is his 2nd visit to the island nation since 2015.
• Chief Guest: He was the Chief Guest at the 57th National Day celebrations on March 12, 2025.

WHY MAURITIUS IS IMPORTANT TO INDIA?

• Strategic Location:
  • Mauritius is a strategically located island nation in the western Indian Ocean, making it crucial for regional security and maritime trade routes.
  • It holds significant importance for India’s maritime security interests in the Indian Ocean.
• Indian-Origin Population:
  • About 70% of Mauritius’ population (1.2 million) is of Indian descent, primarily originating from the Puducherry
  • This strong Indian-origin population forms a vital cultural and diplomatic bridge between the two countries.
• Historical Ties:
  • French and British Colonial Rule: Mauritius was once a French colony and later a British colony.
  • Indian Workers: During British rule, about 500,000 Indian indentured laborers were brought to Mauritius between 1834 and the early 1900s. These workers settled and played a key role in shaping the country’s culture and society.
  • National Day Connection: Mahatma Gandhi visited Mauritius in 1901 and gave three transformative messages to the Indian workers: the importance of education, political empowerment, and remaining connected with India. In tribute to Gandhi, Mauritius celebrates its National Day on March 12, the date of his Dandi March in 1930.

POLITICAL HISTORY OF INDIA MAURITIUS RELATIONS

• First Diplomatic Relations: Mauritius was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic ties with independent India in 1948.
• Political Leadership:
  • Mauritius has been primarily led by two political families: the Ramgoolams (Seewoosagur Ramgoolam and his son Navin) and the Jugnauths (Anerood Jugnauth and his son Pravind).
  • Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, the first Prime Minister of Mauritius, was deeply connected to Indian freedom fighters, including Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Subhas Chandra Bose.
  • Navin Ramgoolam has served as PM multiple times (1995–2000, 2005–2014).

CURRENT STATUS OF RELATIONSHIP

• Defense and Strategic Cooperation:
  • Agaléga Island:
    • In March 2015, PM Modi’s visit led to a Memorandum of Understanding to improve transportation on Agaléga Island (1,100 km from Mauritius).
    • India assisted in building infrastructure, including a new airstrip and a jetty, which were jointly inaugurated in February 2024.
    • India’s assistance on Agaléga island strengthens Mauritius’ defense capabilities and enhances maritime security. Mauritius has confirmed that it retains full sovereignty over Agaléga.

• • Economic Ties:
    • FDI: Mauritius is India’s second-largest source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) after Singapore for the fiscal year 2023–24.
    • Trade Relations: India is the largest trading partner of Mauritius. Both countries signed the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA) on February 22, 2021, after 15 years of negotiations. This is India’s first trade agreement with an African country.
    • India-Assisted Projects: India has provided nearly $1.1 billion in development assistance to Mauritius over the last decade. This includes about $729 million through lines of credit and $427 million as grant assistance.
  • Maritime Security:
    • White-Ships Data Sharing: India and Mauritius are expected to sign a technical agreement to share real-time maritime security data between India’s Navy and Mauritius’ maritime authorities. This will help enhance security in the Indian Ocean and safeguard sea routes vital for trade.
  • Disaster Relief:
    • India has been Mauritius’ first responder during natural disasters. For example, during Cyclone Chido (2024) and the Wakashio oil spill (2020), India mobilized its resources to provide relief and assistance.
  • Space Cooperation:
    • Space Agreement: India and Mauritius signed an agreement in 1986 to establish a Telemetry, Tracking, and Telecommand (TTC) Station for satellite and launch vehicle cooperation.
    • In November 2023, ISRO and the Mauritius Research and Innovation Council (MRIC) signed an MoU to develop a joint satellite for both countries.
  • Education and Capacity Building:
    • ITEC Program: Mauritius is one of the largest beneficiaries of India’s Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) India has trained about 4,940 Mauritians under this program since 2002.
    • Indian Students: Around 2,300 Indian students are currently studying in Mauritius in fields such as medicine, hotel management, and business studies.
  • Cultural and Religious Ties:
    • Maha Shivratri: Mauritius celebrates Maha Shivratri, a Hindu festival, which is also celebrated in India.
    • Ganga Talao: This sacred pilgrimage site in Mauritius draws parallels with the Ganga in India and is important to both countries’ shared Hindu cultural heritage.

PM MODI’S ADDRESS TO INDIAN DIASPORA

Key Highlights:

• Recognition and Honor:
  • Prime Minister Ramgoolam’s Announcement:
    • PM Navinchandra Ramgoolam announced that Mauritius would confer its highest civilian award, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean (G.C.S.K), on PM Narendra Modi during the National Day celebrations.
  • PM Modi expressed his gratitude for this exceptional honor.
• Strengthening India-Mauritius Ties:
  • Prime Minister Modi’s Gratitude: PM Modi thanked PM Ramgoolam for his warmth, friendship, and efforts to strengthen the special relationship between the two countries.
  • Recognition of Mauritius Leaders: PM Modi paid tribute to historical figures like Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, Sir Anerood Jugnauth, and Manilal Doctor, who played pivotal roles in Mauritius’ independence struggle.
• People-to-People Ties:
  • Cultural and Familial Connections:
    • PM Modi highlighted the shared heritage and familial ties that form the foundation of the close relationship between India and Mauritius.
    • He appreciated how the Indian-origin community in Mauritius has preserved and nurtured its cultural roots.
  • Special Provision for OCI Cards:
    • A special provision has been made to issue Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards to the seventh generation of the people of Indian origin in Mauritius.
    • This gesture further strengthens cultural and familial bonds.
  • Support for Girmitiya Legacy: PM Modi emphasized India’s support for initiatives that honor the Girmitiya legacy, which refers to the Indian indentured laborers who were brought to Mauritius and other colonies.
• India-Mauritius as Development Partners:
  • SAGAR Vision: PM Modi noted that the India-Mauritius relationship plays a significant role in India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) Vision, which focuses on regional cooperation and development.
  • Engagement with Global South: He highlighted India’s commitment to working with countries in the Global South, where Mauritius is a key partner.
• Addressing Climate Change:
  • PM Modi acknowledged the shared challenge of climate change and appreciated Mauritius’s cooperation in global environmental initiatives like the International Solar Alliance and the Global Biofuels Alliance.
  • Ek Pedh Maa Ke Naam (Plant4Mother): PM Modi also participated in the Plant4Mother initiative by planting a sapling at the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanic Garden, emphasizing environmental sustainability.

CONCLUSION

Mauritius as a country holds immense importance for India. This is due to multiple factors like increasing India’s presence in the IOR vis-a-vis China, bringing in FDI in India or securing trade routes for India.

The Indian diaspora in Mauritius brings in added responsibility for India.

Climate Change, Food Security and Socio Economic development are areas where Mauritius is seeking India’s support. Hence it is more of a complementary relation.

Note: Connect with Vajirao & Reddy Institute to keep yourself updated with latest UPSC Current Affairs in English.

Note: We upload Current Affairs Except Sunday.