India-Mauritius Relations: Modi’s Visit and Strategic Ties
Why in the news
PM Modi planned a two-day trip to Mauritius, joining its national day on 12 March 2025 as chief guest.
Key facts
- New government under Navinchandra Ramgoolam (Labour Party) after a landslide in November 2024; ties stay firm whichever party rules.
- About 70% of Mauritians are of Indian origin, descendants of indentured labourers; languages include Bhojpuri, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi.
- Culture is promoted by the Mahatma Gandhi Institute and World Hindi Secretariat.
- Its founding PM Sir Seewosagur Ramgoolam collaborated with Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in London during 1919-21.
- Society is multi-ethnic, with influential French-origin business elites, so India balances ties with all groups.
Economic and maritime links
| Area | Detail |
|---|---|
| Trade | $554 million (2022-23) |
| Business role | Gateway to Francophone Africa; bilingual; preferential trade deals with Africa |
| Investment | Leading source of FDI into India thanks to DTAA; financial hub |
| EEZ | 2.3 million sq. km |
| Agaléga | India redeveloped it as a joint surveillance base; coastal radars installed |
| IFC-IOR | Mauritius can use India’s Information Fusion Centre |
| Colombo Security Conclave | India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius, Bangladesh |
| INS Sarvekshak | Surveyed 25,000 sq. km of Mauritian waters |
- China’s rising Indian Ocean presence has raised the strategic value of this partnership.
Outlook
- Talks will target deeper economic ties and maritime security, keeping Mauritius a reliable partner.
Exam angle
- Agaléga, IFC-IOR, Colombo Security Conclave, DTAA.