India strengthens ties with Mauritius during PM visit

Source: The post India strengthens ties with Mauritius during PM visit has been created, based on the article “India, Mauritius and a visit to deepen long-standing ties” published in “The Hindu” on 10th March 2025.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- International Relations-India and its neighbourhood- relations.

Context: The article discusses Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Mauritius for its Independence Day. It highlights the strong historical, cultural, and economic ties between India and Mauritius, and the importance of their maritime security cooperation, especially amid China’s growing influence.

For detailed information on India’s foreign policy towards its neighbors read this article here

What is the significance of Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Mauritius?

1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting Mauritius on March 11-12, 2025, as the guest of honour for its Independence Day celebrations. His last visit was in 2015.
2. This visit aims to strengthen ties with the new government led by Navinchandra Ramgoolam.
3. India-Mauritius relations have been positive, regardless of the ruling party.
4. The visit is also a chance for Modi to connect personally with Ramgoolam, who has previously supported India’s security concerns.

How do historical and cultural ties shape India-Mauritius relations?

1. Mauritius has deep historical and cultural links with India. Nearly 70% of its population is of Indian origin, with many tracing their roots to Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
2. Languages like Bhojpuri, Tamil, Telugu, and Marathi are preserved there.
3. The Mahatma Gandhi Institute and the Indian Cultural Centre promote Indian languages and culture.

4.The World Hindi Secretariat in Mauritius also strengthens these ties.

5. The island’s French community, though only 2%, is influential in business.

What is the status of economic relations between India and Mauritius?

1. India-Mauritius bilateral trade reached $554 million in 2022-23.
2. Mauritius’s well-developed finance sector and its Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) with India have made it a major route for foreign investments into India.
3. Mauritius also serves as a gateway for business with Africa, especially Francophone countries, due to its bilingual population and strong trade agreements with African nations.

Why is Mauritius important for India’s maritime security?

1. Mauritius’s location in the western Indian Ocean makes it vital for India’s maritime security.
2. India has established coastal radar stations and redeveloped the Agaléga island for joint surveillance.
3. Mauritius also has access to India’s Information Fusion Centre for the Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR).
4. With its Exclusive Economic Zone of 2.3 million square kilometers, Mauritius plays a key role in the Colombo Security Conclave, which includes India, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Bangladesh. This cooperation has become crucial due to China’s growing influence in the Indian Ocean.

What challenges do India-Mauritius relations face?

1. Ethnic Diversity: Maintaining relations with all ethnic groups is challenging. Nearly 70% of the population is of Indian origin, while the rest includes African, mixed, and 2% French communities.
2. China’s Growing Influence: China’s expanding presence in the Indian Ocean poses security challenges.
3. Balancing Cultural Ties: Celebrating ties with Indian-origin communities without alienating other groups is essential for stable relations.

Question for practice:

Examine how historical, cultural, economic, and security dimensions influence India-Mauritius relations, especially in the context of China’s growing influence in the Indian Ocean.