{"id":329319,"date":"2025-03-10T18:37:08","date_gmt":"2025-03-10T13:07:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/?p=329319"},"modified":"2025-03-12T10:55:13","modified_gmt":"2025-03-12T05:25:13","slug":"india-mauritius-relations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/india-mauritius-relations\/","title":{"rendered":"India-Mauritius Relations- Explained Pointwise"},"content":{"rendered":"

Prime Minister Narendra Modi\u2019s<\/span> forthcoming visit to Mauritius on March 11-12, 2025<\/span>, to attend the country\u2019s Independence Day celebrations, underscores the deep and enduring ties between the two nations. With a new government led by Navinchandra Ramgoolam<\/span> in power, this visit offers an opportunity to reaffirm and deepen the strategic partnership, ensuring it remains a cornerstone of India\u2019s foreign policy in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). India-Mauritius Relations<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"India-Mauritius<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Table of Content<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What is the historical evolution of India-Mauritius Relations?<\/a>
\nWhat is the significance of Mauritius for India?<\/a>
\nWhat are the areas of cooperation between India and Mauritius?<\/a>
\nWhat are the challenges in India-Mauritius Relations?<\/a>
\nWhat is the way forward?<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/a>What is the historical evolution of India-Mauritius Relations?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

India and Mauritius share an <\/span>umbilical relationship, deeply rooted in <\/span>history, demography, and culture. With nearly <\/span>70% of Mauritius’ 1.2 million<\/span> population of Indian origin, the bond extends beyond diplomacy to people-to-people and civilizational ties. India has been <\/span>among the largest trading partners of <\/span>Mauritius since 2005<\/span>, and the relationship has evolved into a robust partnership spanning multiple areas.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Colonial Era & Early Connections (Pre-1947)<\/strong><\/td>\n1.<\/strong> The Indian-Maurtian relations seeds were sown by the Indian indentured labourers who arrived in Mauritius under the British Rule. <\/span>
\n<\/span>2.<\/strong> Mahatma Gandhi\u2019s visit in 1901<\/span> influenced the <\/span>political consciousness<\/span> of the Indian diaspora residing in Mauritius<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Post-Independence Era (1947\u20131968)<\/b><\/td>\n1.<\/strong> India supported <\/span>anti-colonial movements in Mauritius<\/span>. India <\/span>supports Mauritius<\/span> in its territorial claim over the <\/span>Chagos Archipelago<\/span>.
\n<\/b>2.<\/strong> In <\/span>1968,<\/b> Mauritius gained independence and India established its diplomatic relations with India.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Strengthening Bilateral Investment and Economic Ties (1970s\u20132000s)<\/b><\/td>\nIndia and Mauritius signed several key cooperation agreements.
\n1.<\/strong> Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA)<\/span> was signed in 1983, making Mauritius a major route for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into India.
\n2.<\/strong> Establishment of cultural institutions like\u00a0 Mahatma Gandhi Institute and the Indian Cultural Centre<\/span>.
\n3.<\/strong> Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (BIPA) was signed.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Expanding Cooperation (2000\u20132010)<\/b><\/td>\nIndia supports Mauritius’ satellite and IT development initiatives and also donates patrol boats to strengthen Mauritius’ maritime security, defense cooperation agreement signed. India helps set up the<\/span> Mauritius National Coast Guard Headquarters<\/span>.<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Strategic & Economic Deepening (2011\u20132020)<\/b><\/td>\n1.<\/strong> DTAA was amended to prevent tax evasion and round-tripping of funds, Mauritius joins India\u2019s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) initiative<\/span>.
\n2.<\/strong> India provides financial assistance for the Metro Express Project and Social Housing Scheme in Mauritius.<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Recent Development (2021-Present):<\/b><\/td>\n2021- <\/b>India and Mauritius signed the <\/span>Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA),<\/span> India\u2019s first trade agreement with an African nation. Mauritius was included in India\u2019s<\/span> Indo-Pacific strategy, boosting maritime security cooperation.
\n<\/b>2022: <\/b>India assists in launching Mauritius\u2019 <\/span>first satellite under ISRO collaboration.<\/span>
\n<\/b>2023: <\/b>Strengthening of <\/span>digital partnerships in cybersecurity and fintech.
\n<\/b>2024: <\/b>Expansion of India\u2019s <\/span>Blue Economy cooperation<\/span> with Mauritius. <\/span>\u00a0Both signed a protocol in March 2024 to amend their DTAA, incorporating a <\/span>Principal Purpose Test (PPT) to combat treaty abuse and align with the <\/span>OECD’s Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) <\/span>framework<\/span>.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/a>What is the significance of Mauritius for India?<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

1. Geo-Economic Significance<\/span>:\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n