New priorities, old ties

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Mauritius marks a decade since his last visit.
• The visit aims to strengthen the India-Mauritius strategic partnership and launch new economic and development initiatives.
• Despite the brief overlap between Prime Minister Ramgoolam’s tenure (2005–14) and Modi’s, the two leaders maintain close ties.
• India facilitated Ramgoolam’s medical evacuation during India’s strict COVID-19 lockdown.
• The visit primarily focused on strategic priorities, upgrading strategic ties, and committing to increased defence cooperation.
• India announced major economic initiatives, including bilateral trade in national currencies, support for a new Mauritius parliament building, and a ₹487 crore credit facility to improve water infrastructure.
• The visit also had geopolitical implications, with Ramgoolam expressing a desire to renegotiate Mauritius’ agreement with the U.K. over the Chagos Archipelago.
• India is also monitoring China’s growing footprint, with China’s strategic partnership with Mauritius worth $1.1 billion.
• The announcement of the MAHASAGAR doctrine is significant due to the PLA Navy’s increased presence in the Indian Ocean.