Shared Seas, Shared Strategy

Amid shifting geopolitical plates, India and Mauritius deepen strategic ties to secure prosperity and peace.

In an era of intensifying great-power rivalry, few partnerships exemplify resilience and mutual benefit as neatly as the one between India and Mauritius. Nearly 75 percent of Mauritius’ population trace their ancestry to India. Mahatma Gandhi once graced the island, blessing its aspirations for a bright future. Today, the relationship between the two countries has evolved into a comprehensive strategic partnership, spanning economics, culture, security and science, underscoring New Delhi’s ambition to craft a stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

Last month, the visit of the Mauritian Prime Minister Dr. Pravind Jugnauth to India marked the latest chapter in this evolving partnership. As New Delhi confronts rising Chinese assertiveness in the Indian Ocean and protectionist US trade policies, Mauritius has emerged as an invaluable ally.

India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ and ‘SAGAR’ (Security and Growth for All in the Region) policies have found fertile ground in Mauritius. Both nations have invested heavily in maritime security cooperation over the past six decades. Their geographic proximity and shared interest in preserving sea lanes of communication make them natural partners in this endeavour.

The recent visit saw a slew of agreements, notably in hydrography, maritime research and joint naval exercises, enhancing the region’s surveillance and rapid-response capabilities. This cooperation is not merely defensive. Mauritius, strategically positioned near critical trade routes, plays a pivotal role in securing India’s trade and energy lifelines. The partnership underscores a subtle shift in India’s diplomatic calculus, from viewing Mauritius as a cultural sibling to recognizing it as a strategic linchpin in the Indo-Pacific chessboard.

Mauritius remains one of India’s most significant economic partners in the Indian Ocean region. As India confronts the fallout of US-imposed tariffs and seeks new markets, Mauritius plays a dual role: an investment hub and a gateway to Africa. Notably, Mauritius remains the largest source of foreign direct investment into India, a relationship dating back decades. During the visit, both sides expanded cooperation into emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and critical engineering.

A series of new memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were inked, covering scientific research, manpower training, and power sector collaboration. Perhaps most consequentially, India pledged to establish a 500-bed hospital in Mauritius in the name of the island’s first prime minister, Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, alongside the rollout of a Jan Aushadhi centre to enhance affordable healthcare. These initiatives signal India’s growing role in Mauritius’ development story.

While strategic and economic concerns dominate headlines, the cultural and historical ties between the two nations remain foundational. Prime Minister Modi’s emphasis on shared civilizational roots, exemplified by the Bhojpuri cultural connect during Dr. Jugnauth’s visit to Varanasi, reaffirms the soft power dimension of this partnership.

An unexpected yet significant outcome of the visit was the deepening of scientific and technological cooperation. MoUs on space research and human resource development were signed, creating frameworks for collaboration between India’s Department of Science and Mauritius’ Ministry of Tertiary Education, Science and Research. The Karmayogi Mission, aimed at continuous public sector capacity-building, was extended to Mauritian civil servants, pointing to a growing emphasis on institutional capacity as a vector of cooperation.

This partnership now stands as a prototype of India’s larger Indo-Pacific strategy. It reflects a pragmatic combination of cultural affinity, historical support (India backed Mauritius during its independence movement) and modern-day realpolitik. The two nations exemplify how shared destiny and dreams can transcend mere geography, becoming a model of how medium-sized powers can align to foster regional balance.

Mauritius’s strategic location gives India an edge in a region increasingly fraught with tensions. The joint efforts to combat terrorism, expand trade, and build sustainable infrastructure are not limited to bilateral gains but have positive spillovers for the broader South Asian region. As New Delhi confronts trade barriers and geopolitical isolation, Port Louis stands out as a steadfast partner, helping India balance power dynamics without overt confrontation.

(The writer is a foreign affairs expert. Views personal.)