Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Mauritius is focused on enhancing strategic ties and addressing the Chagos sovereignty issue, following President Trump’s support for a deal between Mauritius and Britain regarding a military base. Discussions will also include countering China’s influence in the Indian Ocean, where India recently assisted in developing Mauritius’s infrastructure.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Mauritius, where he will discuss enhancing strategic relations with the nation. This visit coincides with U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent endorsement of a potential agreement between Mauritius and Britain regarding the future of a U.S.-British military facility in the Chagos Archipelago. Modi will act as the chief guest for Mauritius’s national day celebrations and will meet with Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, who recently began his third term in office in 2024.
The Chagos Archipelago, located in the Indian Ocean and consisting of seven atolls and over 60 islands, includes Diego Garcia, which has hosted a joint military base for the UK and the US since the 1970s. Indian officials have expressed that the resolution of Chagos’s sovereignty issue is beneficial for India, as the country has consistently supported Mauritius’s claims to the islands. Furthermore, India supports the continued presence of American forces in the Indian Ocean as a means to counteract China’s growing influence.
According to India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Modi’s visit may provide an opportunity for Mauritius to address any remaining issues regarding the sovereignty of Chagos. “We continue to support Mauritius in its efforts to reach a mutually satisfactory and mutually beneficial deal,” Misri stated.
Mauritius gained independence in 1968, but Britain retained authority over the Chagos Archipelago, forcibly relocating approximately 2,000 residents to establish the Diego Garcia military base, which was leased to the U.S. in 1966. Samuel Bashfield, an Indo-Pacific security expert, noted India’s vested interest in maintaining U.S. military presence on Diego Garcia as a counterbalance to China’s influence in the region, particularly as India aims to broaden its strategic reach.
India has played an active role in enhancing Mauritius’s sea and air capabilities, particularly in the Agalega Islands. Bashfield mentioned that Diego Garcia presents potential operational advantages for Indian surveillance aircraft in the Indian Ocean. A source close to Ramgoolam’s office indicated that Mauritius views India and the U.S. as aligned in their goal to curb Chinese influence in the area, especially given China’s recent investments in infrastructure throughout the region, including projects in the Maldives and Sri Lanka.
In summary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Mauritius aims to solidify strategic ties amid evolving geopolitical circumstances concerning the Chagos Archipelago. Both countries view the resolution of sovereignty issues as advantageous, particularly in context with the ongoing influence of China in the region. The collaboration between India, the U.S., and Mauritius appears to play a critical role in strategic interests within the Indian Ocean. The forwarding of these relations underscores the importance of multilateral engagement to address contemporary security challenges.
Original Source: gazette.com
