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India-Mauritius Strategic Partnership: The MAHASAGAR Vision
Context:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the MAHASAGAR vision (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) during his visit to Mauritius.
About the MAHASAGAR vision
- The MAHASAGAR vision Strengthens India’s strategic ties with Mauritius and expands cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
- Built upon SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region), announced in 2015, to create a comprehensive framework for the Global South.
Strategic Importance of India-Mauritius Relations
- Geostrategic Location: Mauritius lies at a crucial maritime junction in the Indian Ocean, making it significant for regional security, trade, and connectivity.
- Maritime Security Cooperation: India is committed to ensuring the security of Mauritius’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) through joint surveillance, hydrographic surveys, and defence cooperation.
- Countering China’s Influence: India’s proactive engagement seeks to balance China’s increasing presence in the Indian Ocean through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Key Announcements and Agreements
- Defence and Maritime Security Cooperation
- Enhanced Deployment: Increased joint maritime surveillance, patrols, and hydrographic surveys.
- Strengthening Mauritius’ Coast Guard: Assistance in procuring defence assets, refitting Coast Guard ships, and setting up a National Maritime Information Sharing Centre.
- Chagos Archipelago Dispute: India reaffirmed its support for Mauritius’ sovereignty over Chagos, advocating for its position in multilateral forums like the Colombo Security Conclave and Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).
- Cooperation on White Shipping and Hydrography: Enhancing real-time data sharing for better maritime domain awareness and combating illegal activities.
- Economic and Trade Agreements
- Trade in Local Currencies: Agreement signed to promote settlement of bilateral trade in Indian Rupees and Mauritian Rupees, reducing dependence on foreign currencies.
- Indian Rupee Clearing Centre: Plan to extend its benefits to the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) countries.
- Support for MSME Sector: Strengthening business collaborations in the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector.
- Infrastructure and Development Projects
- Water Pipeline Modernisation: A ₹487 crore Line of Credit (LoC) extended for replacing 100 km of old water pipelines in Mauritius.
- New Development Projects: Initiatives worth 500 million Mauritian Rupees under the second phase of high-impact community development projects.
- Parliament Building Construction: India to build a new Parliament building for Mauritius as a gift symbolising India’s support.
- Cultural and People-to-People Ties
- Capacity Building: Agreement to train 500 Mauritian civil servants in India over the next five years.
- Religious and Cultural Initiatives: Support for Mauritian citizens undertaking Char Dham Yatra and the Ramayana Trail in India.
- Education and Public Service: Dedication of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Public Service and Innovation.
- Technological and Financial Cooperation
- DPI (Digital Public Infrastructure) Collaboration: Strengthening cooperation on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and DPI for human development.
- Financial Transparency and Anti-Money Laundering: MoU between India’s Enforcement Directorate and Mauritius’ Financial Crimes Commission to combat money laundering and financial crimes.
Implications for India and the Region
- Strengthening India’s Position in the Indian Ocean
- Enhances India’s role as a security provider in the Indian Ocean.
- Reinforces India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ and ‘Act East’ policies.
- Counters China’s Maritime Silk Route strategy by providing alternative connectivity and security solutions.
- Boost to Global South Cooperation
- Positions India as a leader in the Global South, advocating for holistic growth and security.
- Extends India’s economic and strategic outreach beyond South Asia to Africa and Indian Ocean island nations.
- Economic and Financial Benefits
- Strengthens economic integration between India and Mauritius through local currency trade mechanisms.
- Expands India’s financial footprint in the region by facilitating rupee transactions in COMESA nations.
- Enhanced Soft Power and Diplomatic Ties
- India’s developmental assistance strengthens bilateral trust and goodwill.
- Strengthens India’s cultural and historical ties with Mauritius, home to a large Indian diaspora.
