India-Mauritius Relations:
During the Prime Minister (PM) of India’s visit to Mauritius, both nations signed multiple agreements on trade, maritime security, and defense, emphasizing regional cooperation and elevating their ties to an enhanced strategic partnership.PM also received the highest national award of Mauritius, the ‘Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean.’
- Both elevated their ties to an Enhanced Strategic Partnership, strengthening security, trade in local currencies, and development while reaffirming their commitment to a free and secure Indian Ocean.
- Both countries agreed to ratify the protocol amending the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) to align with international treaty standards.
- India introduced the MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) initiative for the Global South.
- The MAHASAGAR vision builds on SAGAR, enhancing engagement with the Global South through technology sharing, concessional loans, grants, trade, and mutual security cooperation.
- India and Mauritius agreed to enhance the use of Agalega Island’s new runway and jetty, developed by India.
- India also reaffirmed support for Mauritius’s sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago.
Cooperation will be strengthened in white shipping, blue economy, and hydrography. - India announced its first-ever rupee-denominated Line of Credit to support Mauritius in replacing its water pipelines.
- India will help Mauritius establish a police academy and a maritime information-sharing center.
- The Mauritius President inaugurated the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Public Service and Innovation, a health center, and 20 Indian-funded community projects.
- India will construct a new Parliament building for Mauritius, which India described as a gift from the “Mother of Democracy”.
- India reaffirmed its commitment to working with Mauritius in regional and international forums like the Colombo Security Conclave, IORA, and the Indian Ocean Conference.
