Port Louis: India and Mauritius have taken a significant step in strengthening their bilateral relations by elevating their partnership to the status of an “Enhanced Strategic Partnership.” This landmark decision was announced by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi following his meeting with his Mauritian counterpart, Prime Minister Navin Chandra Ramgoolam, on Wednesday.
As part of this reinforced cooperation, the Indian government has pledged new development projects worth 500 million Mauritian rupees (approximately Rs 100 crore). In a gesture of strong diplomatic and historical ties, India will also construct a new Parliament building in Mauritius, a symbolic contribution from what Prime Minister Modi called “The Mother of Democracy”.
Strengthening Development and Cooperation
During the bilateral discussions in Port Louis, Prime Minister Modi emphasized the significance of the upgraded partnership, stating:“Today, Prime Minister Navin Chandra Ramgoolam and I decided to give the India-Mauritius partnership the status of ‘Enhanced Strategic Partnership’”.
He further elaborated on India’s commitment to Mauritius’s development, revealing key initiatives:
The launch of the second phase of community development projects worth 500 million Mauritian rupees.
The training of 500 Mauritian civil servants in India over the next five years.
India’s role in constructing the new Parliament building in Mauritius as a symbol of deep-rooted democratic ties.
Expanding Cooperation in Emerging Sectors
The Mauritius-India joint vision document for an enhanced strategic partnership aims to foster cooperation across traditional and emerging sectors. Expressing his optimism about this expanded alliance, Prime Minister Ramgoolam remarked:
“Prime Minister of India and myself had very constructive discussions on how to take our bilateral relations to even greater heights. In this perspective, we have further agreed to strengthen our relations through a Mauritius-India joint vision document for an enhanced strategic partnership. Our shared vision is to increase our cooperation in existing and emerging sectors such as space, space research, artificial intelligence, digital health, ocean economy, pharmaceuticals, ICT, fintech, and cybersecurity”.
Ramgoolam also highlighted India’s continued assistance in modernizing Mauritius’s health sector. He further added, “Our two countries will continue to reinforce trade relations through the comprehensive economic cooperation and partnership agreement and set up such innovative mechanisms that would further facilitate exchanges for our mutual benefit.”
Key Agreements and Strategic Outreach
To deepen cooperation, both nations signed agreements covering:
- White-shipping
- Financial crimes
- Cross-border transactions
- Credit facility
- Ocean modeling
This visit marks Prime Minister Modi’s second appearance as the chief guest at Mauritius’s National Day Celebrations, following his previous visit in 2015. In a show of strong naval and defense ties, an Indian naval ship will dock at Port Louis as part of the celebrations.
Additionally, a marching contingent from the Indian Navy, an Indian Navy helicopter, the Akash Ganga Skydiving Team from the Indian Air Force, and a team of NCC cadets will participate in the festivities.
Strengthening India-Mauritius Historical Ties
This strategic engagement is also seen as an outreach effort to the new leadership in Mauritius. Modi met with Prime Minister Ramgoolam and President Dharam Gokhool on Tuesday as he commenced his two-day visit to the island nation. The Indian government has had a long-standing involvement in infrastructure development in Mauritius under the leadership of previous administrations, particularly those led by Anerood Jugnauth and Pravind Jugnauth.
The decision to develop infrastructure on the Agalega Islands was taken during the Jugnauth governments, and India is now making efforts to reinforce relations with the Ramgoolam-led administration. Since Mauritius’s independence in 1968, the country has been primarily governed by either the Ramgoolam or Jugnauth families.
India’s Strategic Interests in the Indian Ocean
For India, China’s growing presence in the Indian Ocean region remains a key concern. Strengthening relationships with island nations like Mauritius is an essential component of India’s regional security strategy. Notably, Mauritius was hit hard by Cyclone Chido last year, severely affecting Agalega. India swiftly mobilized its naval assets and utilized the facilities developed in Agalega to deliver crucial aid and relief materials, demonstrating its commitment to regional stability and humanitarian assistance.
Vision for the Global South – MAHASAGAR
Prime Minister Modi also outlined a broader vision for global cooperation through the initiative MAHASAGAR, which stands for Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions. This concept aligns with India’s goal of fostering sustainable development and security across regional and international landscapes.
On the auspicious occasion of Mauritius’ National Day, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been honored with the Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean, the country’s highest civilian award
On the special occasion of Mauritius’ National Day, I had the opportunity to meet my good friend, PM Navinchandra Ramgoolam and discuss the full range of India-Mauritius friendship. We have decided to raise our partnership to an Enhanced Strategic Partnership.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 12, 2025
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The Future of India-Mauritius Relations
The elevation of ties to an “Enhanced Strategic Partnership” underscores the unwavering friendship and shared aspirations between India and Mauritius. With strong economic, technological, and diplomatic collaborations on the horizon, both nations are poised to embark on a new era of growth and mutual prosperity.
