India–Mauritius Relations: Strategic Partnership, Maritime Cooperation and India’s Vision in the Indian Ocean Region

Recent Developments:

• Prime Minister of India met Mauritian Prime Minister Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam in Victoria, Mahé, on the sidelines of Seychelles' Golden Jubilee National Day celebrations.
• Both leaders reviewed the progress of the India–Mauritius Enhanced Strategic Partnership, reaffirmed cooperation under Vision MAHASAGAR and the Neighbourhood First Policy, and emphasized healthcare, connectivity, sustainable development, the blue economy, maritime security and peace in the Indian Ocean Region.

Overview of India–Mauritius Relations:

• India and Mauritius share one of the closest bilateral partnerships, founded on shared historical links, civilizational ties, a large Indian diaspora, democratic values and maritime convergence.
• Mauritius occupies a pivotal position in India's Indian Ocean strategy, supporting the objectives of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR), Vision MAHASAGAR, the Neighbourhood First Policy and the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI).
• The relationship extends beyond diplomacy, encompassing security, development, trade, education, culture, digital cooperation and multilateral engagement.

Historical Background:

• Mauritius remained uninhabited until European colonial settlement, after which it successively came under Dutch, French and British rule.
• Following the abolition of slavery in 1834, a large number of Indians migrated to Mauritius as indentured labourers, laying the foundation for enduring people-to-people ties.
• Nearly two-thirds of the Mauritian population is of Indian origin, making the diaspora the strongest social pillar of bilateral relations.
• India established diplomatic relations with Mauritius immediately after its independence in 1968, reflecting the importance attached to the island nation.

Republic of Mauritius:

• Mauritius is an island country in the south-western Indian Ocean, located nearly 2,000 km southeast of the African mainland.
• Capital: Port Louis.
• Mauritius forms part of the Mascarene Islands, along with Réunion and Rodrigues, giving it significant maritime importance in the western Indian Ocean.
• Its location near major Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs) enhances its strategic relevance for regional maritime security.

Major Pillars of India–Mauritius Relations:

Political Relations:

• India and Mauritius maintain regular high-level political engagement, supported by frequent visits and institutional dialogue.
• Both countries cooperate closely on regional stability, sustainable development, maritime governance and economic integration.
• The Enhanced Strategic Partnership has broadened cooperation into emerging sectors including the blue economy, digital transformation and climate resilience.

Strategic and Maritime Cooperation:

• Mauritius is a key maritime partner for safeguarding India's interests in the western Indian Ocean.
• India assists Mauritius through joint surveillance of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), hydrographic surveys, coastal surveillance radar systems and maritime domain awareness.
• Defence cooperation includes military training, supply of defence equipment, deployment of Indian advisers, coordinated patrols and bilateral exercises.
• Mauritius is an important partner under India's SAGAR Vision, Vision MAHASAGAR and Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative.
• Both countries cooperate in combating piracy, illegal fishing, narcotics trafficking and other non-traditional maritime security threats.

Economic and Commercial Relations:

• Total bilateral trade during FY 2024–25 reached approximately USD 887.25 million, reflecting sustained growth over the past two decades.
• Indian exports include petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, machinery, textiles, automobiles and processed food products, while Mauritius exports scrap metals, agricultural commodities, textiles and seafood products.
• Bilateral trade has expanded by more than four times since 2005–06, indicating increasing economic integration.

Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA):

• The CECPA was signed in 2021, becoming India's first trade agreement with an African country.
• The agreement promotes trade in goods and services, investment flows, financial cooperation and improved market access.
• It also supports deeper value-chain integration and stronger private-sector participation between both economies.

Financial and Investment Relations:

• Mauritius has historically been one of the largest sources of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into India, largely because of its favourable tax framework and the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA).
• The DTAA was revised in 2016 to address treaty shopping, round-tripping of funds and tax avoidance, thereby improving transparency and aligning with international tax standards.

Treaty Shopping:

• Treaty shopping refers to the practice of routing investments through an intermediary country solely to obtain tax benefits available under a bilateral tax treaty.
• Such arrangements may enable investors who are not genuine residents of a treaty partner to access preferential tax treatment, reducing the effectiveness of tax agreements.

Development Partnership:

• India has emerged as Mauritius' leading development partner, supporting infrastructure, healthcare, education, governance and digital transformation.
• The Metro Express Project has significantly improved urban public transport and connectivity.
• The new Supreme Court Building, constructed with Indian grant assistance, symbolizes judicial cooperation and democratic partnership.
• The ENT Hospital, Civil Service College, Forensic Science Laboratory and multiple community development projects have strengthened Mauritius' social infrastructure.
• India has also supported digital governance, information technology initiatives and capacity enhancement across government institutions.

Cultural and Diaspora Relations:

• People of Indian origin constitute nearly 70% of Mauritius' population, making the diaspora the strongest cultural bridge between the two countries.
• Languages such as Hindi, Bhojpuri, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi and Urdcontinue to be widely spoken and preserved.
• Festivals including Diwali, Holi and Maha Shivaratri are celebrated as national events, reflecting deep civilizational linkages.
• Institutions such as the Mahatma Gandhi Institute, Rabindranath Tagore Institute and the World Hindi Secretariat promote cultural, linguistic and educational cooperation.

Capacity Building and Human Resource Development:

• India supports Mauritius through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme, ICCR scholarships, professional training, skill development and digital governance initiatives.
• Civil servants, defence personnel and technical professionals regularly receive training in Indian institutions, strengthening long-term institutional cooperation.

Cooperation in Multilateral Forums:

• India and Mauritius cooperate closely in the United Nations (UN), Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), International Solar Alliance (ISA), Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and Global South initiatives.
• Mauritius has consistently supported India's positions on several international issues, while India supports Mauritius' sovereignty claim over the Chagos Archipelago.

Significance of Mauritius for India:

Strategic Importance:

• Mauritius serves as India's gateway to the western Indian Ocean, enhancing maritime security and safeguarding major Sea Lines of Communication.
• Its location strengthens India's Indo-Pacific strategy, regional maritime presence and role as a net security provider.

Economic Importance:

• Mauritius functions as an important investment and financial gateway, facilitating India's engagement with African markets.
• The CECPA creates opportunities for expanding bilateral trade, services and investment cooperation.

Geopolitical Importance:

• A strong partnership with Mauritius helps India balance growing extra-regional influence in the Indian Ocean, particularly amid increasing strategic competition.
• The partnership reinforces India's leadership in the Global South and strengthens regional stability.

Challenges in Bilateral Relations:

• Growing strategic competition from external powers, particularly China, has intensified geopolitical competition in the western Indian Ocean.
• Sensitive issues relating to strategic infrastructure and national sovereignty require careful diplomatic management.
• Bilateral trade remains concentrated in a limited range of products, highlighting the need for diversification.
• Financial cooperation continues to face regulatory and taxation-related challenges despite reforms.
• Mauritius remains highly vulnerable to climate change, sea-level rise and extreme weather events, increasing the importance of climate resilience cooperation.

Way Forward:

• India and Mauritius should deepen maritime security and defence cooperation, particularly in maritime domain awareness, coastal surveillance and disaster response.
• Effective implementation of the CECPA should be prioritized to unlock greater trade and investment potential.
• Partnerships in the blue economy, renewable energy, digital technologies, fintech and innovation should be expanded.
• People-to-people exchanges, higher education collaboration, tourism and cultural engagement should receive greater emphasis.
• Timely completion of infrastructure and connectivity projects will further strengthen the Enhanced Strategic Partnership.
• Both countries should work together to promote a secure, inclusive and rules-based Indian Ocean Region under Vision MAHASAGAR and SAGAR.

Value Addition for UPSC:

Important Terms:

• SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region): India's maritime vision promoting regional security, sustainable development and cooperative growth in the Indian Ocean.
• Vision MAHASAGAR: India's expanded maritime cooperation framework focusing on security, connectivity, development and partnership across the Indian Ocean Region.
• Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ): A maritime zone extending up to 200 nautical miles from a coastal State's baseline, where the State enjoys sovereign rights over marine resources.
• Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs): Major international maritime routes essential for global trade, energy transportation and naval movement.
• Treaty Shopping: The practice of routing investments through another country to obtain unintended tax treaty benefits.

UPSC Prelims Facts:

• Mauritius became independent in 1968 and adopted a republican form of government in 1992.
• Port Louis is the capital and principal port of Mauritius.
• The CECPA (2021) is India's first trade agreement with an African country.
• The World Hindi Secretariat is headquartered in Mauritius.
• India supports Mauritius' sovereignty claim over the Chagos Archipelago, while the United Kingdom continues to be involved in the territorial dispute