India-Mauritius: A Shared Vision for a Stronger Strategic Partnership
- MGMMTeam
- Mar 12
- 9 min read
The Prime Minister of Mauritius, Dr. the Honourable Navinchandra Ramgoolam, GCSK, FRCP, and the Prime Minister of India, His Excellency Shri Narendra Modi, engaged in comprehensive and fruitful discussions covering the full spectrum of bilateral relations during the latter’s State Visit to Mauritius from 11 to 12 March 2025.
During their bilateral meeting on 11 March 2025, the two leaders reaffirmed the exceptional and unique bond between Mauritius and India, rooted in shared history, language, culture, heritage, kinship, and values. They acknowledged that the strong foundation of people-to-people and cultural ties has transformed their relationship over the decades into a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership spanning multiple sectors, benefiting both nations and the wider Indian Ocean region.
The Prime Minister of Mauritius highlighted India's enduring role as a steadfast and reliable partner in Mauritius’ socio-economic development since its independence. Recognizing India's consistent support, he reiterated his commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation to address future challenges and opportunities.
Prime Minister Modi, recalling his previous visit to Mauritius in March 2015, when India introduced its Vision SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region), emphasized Mauritius' strategic importance in realizing this vision. He commended the Mauritian government's strong support in deepening bilateral relations and noted that Mauritius is a key partner in India's Vision SAGAR, its Neighbourhood First policy, and its broader engagement with the Global South. He also underscored Mauritius' vital role in advancing these initiatives for mutual benefit.
Recognizing the strength and distinctiveness of their bilateral ties, both leaders agreed on the need to provide renewed direction and elevate their partnership into an enhanced Strategic Partnership.
Political Dialogues
Both leaders recognized the strong foundation of trust and mutual understanding in their bilateral relations, reinforced by regular high-level exchanges and visits. They noted that Mauritius’ participation as a Guest Country under India’s G20 Presidency had further deepened engagement across all sectors and reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining these collaborations.
Welcoming the ongoing parliamentary discussions, particularly in capacity building, both leaders agreed to enhance cooperation in sharing best practices on parliamentary proceedings. Additionally, they committed to fostering closer interactions between Parliamentarians of both nations.
Strategic Growth Alliance
The two leaders acknowledged India’s longstanding role as a key development partner for Mauritius since its independence, emphasizing its substantial contributions to the country’s infrastructure and overall development. Highlighting India's support in successfully executing major infrastructure projects—including the India-Mauritius Metro Express Project, the New Supreme Court Building, the New ENT Hospital, 956 Social Housing Units, and the distribution of Educational Tablets—the Prime Minister of Mauritius expressed gratitude for India-assisted initiatives. These projects have become integral to the Mauritian landscape, benefiting various sectors and communities across the country.
Both leaders recognized the importance of the newly developed runway and jetty at Agalega, constructed with Indian assistance, in facilitating emergency humanitarian aid, particularly in response to the recent Cyclone Chido. The Prime Minister of Mauritius thanked the Government of India for its prompt and effective support, including the deployment of transport aircraft and ships, which played a crucial role in rehabilitation efforts. This reaffirmed India’s position as a ‘First Responder’ to Mauritius in times of crisis. Additionally, the Prime Minister of Mauritius welcomed India's continued support in the development of Agalega for the well-being of its residents.
The leaders also underscored the importance of ongoing infrastructure projects such as the Renal Transplant Unit, the Forensic Science Laboratory, the National Archives and Library, and the Civil Service College. They reiterated their commitment to ensuring the timely completion of these initiatives, along with High Impact Community Development Projects across Mauritius.
Recognizing that India-assisted, people-focused developmental support provides tangible benefits to the friendly people of Mauritius and enhances the country’s socio-economic progress, both leaders concurred on:
i. Ensure the timely delivery of 100 electric buses along with the necessary charging infrastructure.
ii. Execute Phase II of the High Impact Community Development Projects.
iii. Commence the replacement of a 100 km water pipeline in Mauritius under the first INR-denominated Line of Credit agreement between the two nations.
iv. Conclude discussions on the new Parliament building at a site designated by the Government of Mauritius and establish a framework agreement for its implementation with India’s grant assistance.
v. Finalize discussions on the redevelopment of the Ganga Talao Spiritual Sanctuary and establish a framework agreement for its execution with India’s grant assistance.
vi. Identify and explore new avenues for development cooperation in alignment with the needs and priorities of the Government of Mauritius.
Workforce Development and Skill Enhancement
Recognizing India's longstanding support in capacity building and training for Mauritius, as well as its vital role in developing the country's human resources, both leaders pledged to:
i. Sustain ongoing capacity-building initiatives through the Government of India’s ITEC framework and tailored training programs. Implement a customized training program for 500 Mauritian civil servants via the National Centre for Good Governance in India over five years.
ii. Establish institutional partnerships between the Civil Service College, Forensic Science Laboratory, and National Archives and Library of Mauritius with leading institutes in India to foster continued collaboration and knowledge exchange.
iii. Continue the deputation of consultants and technical experts to support the Government of Mauritius in fulfilling its functional requirements.
iv. Strengthen training cooperation for Mauritian diplomats by formalizing a capacity-building program at the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
v. Identify and expand training opportunities for Mauritian officials in civil administration, law enforcement, parliamentary affairs, customs, legal services, healthcare, and other relevant sectors based on Mauritius' specific needs.
Space and Its Impact on Climate Change
The two leaders acknowledged that ongoing space cooperation has greatly benefited both nations, highlighting India's strong commitment to its special relationship with Mauritius. The Prime Minister of Mauritius expressed gratitude to the Indian government for its support in jointly developing a satellite for Mauritius, recognizing this partnership as a testament to India’s steadfast assistance in Mauritius' developmental journey. To further strengthen collaboration in the space sector, they agreed to:
i. Collaborate closely on the successful development and launch of the India-Mauritius satellite, including providing necessary training for Mauritian scientists and experts at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
ii. Facilitate the implementation of a comprehensive weather and climate forecasting system across different timeframes, along with Wave Rider Buoys and a Multi-Hazard Emergency System in Mauritius, strengthening its disaster preparedness and response capabilities.
iii. Extend the ongoing collaboration between ISRO and the Mauritius Research and Innovation Council (MRIC) concerning the ISRO Telemetry and Tracking Centre in Mauritius.
iv. Identify and explore new opportunities for cooperation in space and climate change initiatives, addressing Mauritius' specific needs and supporting capacity-building efforts.
v. Advance India’s proposal for a development partnership project leveraging Earth Observation Applications and an interactive computing framework to enhance Mauritius' ability to monitor extreme weather events and assess climate impacts effectively. This initiative will be executed by ISRO and the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) under the QUAD framework.
Collaboration in Health and Education
Highlighting India’s commitment to supporting the development of health and educational infrastructure, including aid for the adoption and deployment of health-related Digital Public Infrastructures (DPIs) and platforms, both leaders reaffirmed their dedication to providing quality, affordable, and accessible healthcare for the people of Mauritius. They welcomed the launch of the first Jan Aushadhi Kendras abroad in Mauritius and agreed to extend the initiative to other parts of the country.
Acknowledging the challenges Mauritius faces due to rising drug addiction and related social issues, the leaders agreed to collaborate on sharing expertise in drug de-addiction and rehabilitation, working closely with the National Drug Policy, Monitoring, and Coordination Agency, and leveraging the support of India's Narcotics Control Bureau.
To further enhance their ongoing health cooperation, the two leaders committed to the timely implementation of a Digital Health Office system in Mauritius, including the deputation of an Indian specialist to assist the Government of Mauritius in its efforts to digitize healthcare services.
The leaders also emphasized the importance of AYUSH cooperation. The Prime Minister of Mauritius expressed gratitude for India’s support in establishing an Ayush Centre of Excellence in Mauritius and looked forward to continued assistance in realizing this ambitious project. He thanked the Prime Minister of India for facilitating treatment for Mauritian patients in India.
Additionally, the leaders welcomed the ongoing discussions between the National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and Mauritius’ Ministry of Higher Education regarding the sharing of expertise in school curriculum development. They agreed that such initiatives would further deepen bilateral ties and strengthen institutional collaboration in education. They also committed to enhancing India-Mauritius science and technology cooperation, including the preparation of a roadmap for implementing the National Science and Technology Strategy and collaborating on the establishment of a Directorate of Science and Technology in Mauritius.
Trade and Economic Collaboration
Highlighting India’s success in implementing various people-centric digitization initiatives and their positive impact on governance and service delivery, the Prime Minister of Mauritius sought India's assistance in advancing Mauritius' digitization efforts across multiple sectors. In response, the Prime Minister of India affirmed full support. Aligned with this objective, both leaders agreed to:
i. Assist in the implementation of an e-judiciary system and the digitization of archives and records at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute.
ii. Enhance collaboration in the ICT sector, including cybersecurity, Digital Public Infrastructure, and capacity-building initiatives.
iii. Assess the adoption of India's successful digital tools, such as the PM Gati Shakti digital platform, in alignment with Mauritius's specific needs.
Defense and Naval Security Collaboration
The two leaders acknowledged that defense and maritime security cooperation remains a key pillar of their bilateral relations. They highlighted that their close collaboration in this domain has reached a strategic level, bringing significant benefits to both nations. Reaffirming their shared commitment to maintaining a free, open, safe, and secure Indian Ocean Region, they recognized Mauritius and India as natural partners and pledged to work together in addressing maritime challenges and protecting broader strategic interests in the region.
The Prime Minister of Mauritius expressed gratitude to India for its steadfast support in safeguarding Mauritius' vast Exclusive Economic Zone. This includes providing defense and maritime assets, deploying ships and aircraft, conducting joint maritime surveillance, hydrographic surveys, patrolling, bilateral exercises, as well as facilitating information sharing and training support—positioning India as a key security provider for Mauritius.
Additionally, the Prime Minister of Mauritius appreciated India’s ongoing assistance in the refit of Coast Guard Ships Victory, Valiant, and Barracuda on a grant basis. The Prime Minister of India reaffirmed that Mauritius holds a special place as a maritime partner and plays a crucial role in India’s Vision SAGAR. Given their shared regional objectives, he reiterated India’s unwavering commitment to supporting Mauritius in strengthening its defense and security capabilities.
Emphasizing their shared commitment to addressing escalating threats and challenges in the region, the leaders decided to:
i. Maintain collaboration in providing defense and maritime assets and equipment based on Mauritius' needs and priorities.
ii. Strengthen maritime cooperation by increasing the deployment of ships and aircraft for joint maritime surveillance and hydrographic surveys.
iii. Expand efforts to secure Mauritius' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), leveraging the enhanced capabilities of the newly constructed runway and jetty at Agalega.
iv. Support the establishment of a National Maritime Information Sharing Centre to improve maritime domain awareness.
v. Offer expertise in Marine Operations, Marine Engineering, Port Safety and Environment, Port Emergency Management, and Port Security to the Mauritius Port Authority.
vi. Implement tailored training programs and capacity-building initiatives to address the evolving requirements of the Mauritius Police Force.
Regional and International Collaboration
The two leaders acknowledged the ongoing discussions between Mauritius and the United Kingdom regarding the Chagos Islands. The Indian Prime Minister reaffirmed India’s unwavering support for Mauritius on this matter, while the Prime Minister of Mauritius expressed gratitude for his personal commitment and engagement with global leaders on the issue.
Both leaders committed to strengthening collaboration within regional and multilateral frameworks, particularly through the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), the Colombo Security Conclave, the Global Biofuels Alliance, the International Solar Alliance, and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure. They welcomed the recent signing of the Founding Documents of the Colombo Security Conclave and India's upcoming chairmanship of IORA for 2025-26. Emphasizing the significance of these regional mechanisms, they highlighted their role in enhancing maritime security and addressing shared challenges in the Indian Ocean Region.
Cultural and Interpersonal Connections
Recognizing that cultural heritage, historical connections, and strong people-to-people ties form the foundation of the special relationship between Mauritius and India, the leaders committed to further strengthening the deep friendship between the two nations. Accordingly, they agreed to:
i. Assist the Mahatma Gandhi Institute in preserving records of indentured Indian workers by providing specialized training and institutional support through the National Archives of India.
ii. Enhance diaspora engagement through initiatives such as the Know India Programme, Connecting Roots, Pravasi Bhartiya Divas, and scholarships, while also collaborating on research into the Girmitya legacy and their role in strengthening people-to-people connections.
iii. Foster tourism and cultural exchanges by promoting visits to Char Dham, the Ramayana trail, and other ancient religious sites in India.
iv. Strengthen cooperation to accelerate the implementation of the MOU on labor recruitment, facilitating labor mobility between Mauritius and India.
The leaders expressed satisfaction with their comprehensive discussions covering the full scope of bilateral relations and acknowledged the deep strategic significance of their special and close partnership. They highlighted the Mauritius-India collaboration in development, defense, maritime security, and people-to-people connections as a model of regional cooperation. Both leaders committed to further strengthening their ties by providing direction and guidance to elevate the relationship into an enhanced Strategic Partnership that supports Mauritius' development needs and advances shared regional objectives.
The Prime Minister of Mauritius expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister of India for attending the National Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour, commemorating the 57th Anniversary of Mauritius' Independence and the 33rd Anniversary of its Republic.
The Prime Minister of India extended an invitation to the Prime Minister of Mauritius to visit India at his earliest convenience.
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