Modi’s Anticipated Visit to Mauritius: Enhancing Strategic Ties and Security Pacts
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Mauritius to enhance ties and discuss the Chagos Islands’ sovereignty. His discussions with PM Navinchandra Ramgoolam come after U.S. President Trump’s support for a deal regarding a military base in the region. This visit reflects India’s strategic interests in countering Chinese influence in the Indian Ocean.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Mauritius on Tuesday, aiming to enhance strategic ties. This visit comes shortly after supportive remarks from U.S. President Donald Trump regarding a potential agreement between Mauritius and Britain on the status of the U.S.-British military base. Modi is set to be the chief guest at Mauritius’ national day and will confer with Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, who has resumed office for his third term in 2024.
The context of this visit includes President Trump’s recent endorsement of an agreement concerning a military base located in the Chagos Archipelago, comprising several islands in the Indian Ocean. The largest island, Diego Garcia, has served as a base for British and U.S. military operations since the 1970s. Indian officials organizing the trip have indicated that resolving the Chagos sovereignty issue is a positive development for New Delhi, which has historically supported Mauritius’ claims to the islands while also endorsing U.S. presence to mitigate China’s influence in the region.
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri expressed that the visit would allow Mauritius to share updates on any remaining issues regarding the sovereignty discussions, reaffirming India’s commitment to a mutually beneficial agreement. Since gaining independence in 1968, Mauritius has sought control over the Chagos Islands, from which London removed approximately 2,000 residents to establish the Diego Garcia base.
Security expert Samuel Bashfield of the Australia India Institute stated that maintaining the U.S. presence on Diego Garcia aligns with India’s strategic interests in countering China. India, seeking to broaden its influence in the Indian Ocean, has invested in enhancing Mauritius’ connectivity through the development of sea and air links to Agalega Islands. Bashfield also noted that Diego Garcia could serve as a runway for Indian surveillance operations in the region.
A source close to Prime Minister Ramgoolam emphasized that both India and the U.S. share a common objective of countering Chinese expansion within the area, as China has been actively investing in infrastructure across the Indian Ocean region, including in nations like the Maldives and Sri Lanka.
In conclusion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Mauritius signifies a critical step in enhancing India-Mauritius relations and addressing strategic interests in the Indian Ocean. With the ongoing discussions concerning the Chagos Islands and increased collaboration on countering China’s influence, this visit is poised to strengthen ties between the two nations and reaffirm mutual commitments to security and cooperation.
Original Source: www.business-standard.com
