Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Mauritius will focus on upgrading strategic ties and addressing sovereignty issues regarding the Chagos Archipelago, coinciding with US President Trump’s backing of a deal between Mauritius and Britain over a military base. Modi will engage with Prime Minister Ramgoolam to discuss mutual interests, solidifying India’s support for Mauritius amid rising Chinese investments in the region.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Mauritius on Tuesday to enhance strategic ties, coinciding with increased support from US President Donald Trump regarding a deal between Mauritius and Britain concerning a US-British military base.
During his visit, Prime Minister Modi will be the chief guest at Mauritius’s national day celebrations and will engage in discussions with Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, who has returned to office for a third term.
President Trump recently indicated a willingness to support negotiations concerning the Chagos Archipelago, which houses Diego Garcia, a significant military base utilized by the US and UK since the 1970s. Historically, New Delhi has favored Mauritius’s claims over these islands while also backing America’s strategic presence in the Indian Ocean to mitigate Chinese influence.
India’s foreign secretary, Vikram Misri, highlighted that Modi’s visit would provide Mauritius with the opportunity to address any unfinished business in their bilateral relationship, reaffirming India’s support for favorable terms between Mauritius and Britain regarding the base.
Mauritius’s independence in 1968 did not extend to the Chagos Islands, which remain under British control. The UK displaced approximately 2,000 inhabitants to establish the Diego Garcia base. Experts assert that India benefits from continued US operations at Diego Garcia as a counterbalance to China’s regional aspirations, noting that China has recently invested extensively in infrastructure in the Indian Ocean area.
India has supported Mauritius in developing strategic maritime and aerial connections in the Agalega Islands, reinforcing its commitment to regional security interests. Experts posit that Diego Garcia could also serve as a strategic asset for Indian military capabilities in the region.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s impending visit to Mauritius underscores the growing strategic partnership between India and Mauritius, particularly in the context of US-British military interests in the region. The discussions during this visit are anticipated to solidify bilateral ties while addressing pivotal issues concerning sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago. As geopolitical dynamics shift, India’s support for Mauritius serves to strengthen collective efforts to counter China’s influence in the Indian Ocean.
Original Source: www.business-standard.com
