Development of Agaléga – India’s rising power in the Indian Ocean

Source-This post on Development of Agaléga:-India’s rising power in the Indian Ocean has been created based on the article “With Mauritius joining project, India’s rising power in the Indian Ocean” published in “The Indian Express” on 2 March 2024.

UPSC Syllabus–GS Paper 2– International Relations-India and its Neighborhood.

News– Prime Ministers of India and Mauritius have jointly inaugurated an airstrip and the St James Jetty on North Agaléga Island in the Indian Ocean.

Where is the Agalega island situated?

Agaléga are two outer islands of Mauritius located in the Indian Ocean, about 1,000 kilometers (about 621.37 mi) north of Mauritius island.
Surrounded by the Seychelles to the north, the Maldives, the US base Diego Garcia and Chagos Island to the east, and Madagascar, the Mozambique Channel, and the entire eastern coast of Africa to the west, its strategic location makes it vulnerable to terrorism, piracy and the illegal narcotics trade.

Source-Lowy institute

What is the significance of creating basic infrastructure in Agalega island for Mauritius?

1) Economic Significance: –

A) It will reduce two-day journey time from agalega island to Mauritius to less than an hour’s flight.

B) It will create employment for the local population and improve their overall well-being.

C) It would help in tapping the tourism potential of the islands.

2) Strategic significance-
The new jetty and airstrip will allow the stationing or forward deployment of ships of the Mauritius Coast Guard. This will significantly enhance the capabilities and capacities in marine surveillance and security.

Read more- Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement(CECPA)” between India and Mauritius

What is the significance of development of Agalega island for India?

1) Deepening of India-Mauritius relations: –

A) Enhanced goodwill– It will enhance the goodwill and trust between the two countries. This would help India to project itself to other maritime neighbours a benign and friendly country that respects the sovereignty of independent nations.

B) Multi-dimensional cooperation– India and Mauritius are cooperating in all areas like monitoring of Exclusive Economic Zone, joint patrolling, hydrography, and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief. This will help India to sustainably use its exclusive economic zone in Indian Ocean region.

2) Geostrategic significance-

A) Strengthen SAGAR initiative-The joint development of Agaléga highlights India’s commitment to the vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) by assisting smaller maritime nations in building capacity and developing capability.

B) Counter String of pearls–
1) China has built many assets in the Western Indian Ocean, such as the bases in Djibouti and Gwadar.The development of ports in Agalega will provide strategic access to India dubbed by some analysts as the “necklace of diamonds” as against the “string of pearls” ports that provide access to the Chinese.

2) The importance of building infrastructure in Agalega island becomes even more marked in light of the Maldives anti-India posturing, which is highlighted by the signing of an agreement with Beijing “on China’s provision of military assistance” and Indian military forces  being asked to vacate the island nation.

C) Enhanced surveillance of Indian Ocean-With the maritime empowerment of Mauritius through the Agalega project, India can also monitor important ocean lines in the Western Indian Ocean.

D) Reinforce India’s role as net peace provider in the Indian Ocean Region-It will help India to transform into influential blue-water power and become the voice of the Global South.
It will also highlight India’s critical role as a net peace provider in the Indian Ocean region and maintaining overall peace, stability and security in the region.

Question for practice

How do infrastructural projects in Agalega island help India to achieve its geostrategic objective?