India’s PM Narendra Modi to Visit Mauritius for Strategic Talks

India’s PM Narendra Modi to Visit Mauritius for Strategic Talks

Strengthening Bilateral Ties

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to Mauritius on Tuesday to discuss upgrading strategic ties with the island nation. His visit comes shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump signaled support for a deal between Mauritius and Britain regarding the future of a U.S.-British military base in the Chagos Archipelago.

Key Meetings and National Day Celebrations

Modi will be the chief guest at Mauritius’ national day celebrations and is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, who returned to office for his third term in 2024. The discussions are expected to cover various strategic and diplomatic issues, including the Chagos sovereignty dispute.

The Chagos Archipelago and Diego Garcia Military Base

The Chagos Archipelago, a group of seven atolls with over 60 islands in the Indian Ocean, has been a point of contention for decades. Diego Garcia, the largest island, has served as a joint British-U.S. military base since the 1970s. Mauritius became independent in 1968, but Britain retained control of the Chagos, forcibly displacing up to 2,000 residents to establish the base under a lease agreement with the U.S. in 1966.

India’s Position on the Sovereignty Dispute

India has historically supported Mauritius’ claim over the Chagos Islands while also backing the U.S. military presence in the region to counter China’s growing influence. Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated that Modi’s visit would provide an opportunity to discuss any outstanding issues regarding the sovereignty dispute and future agreements.

India’s Strategic Interests in the Indian Ocean

India has been expanding its strategic footprint in the Indian Ocean, including assisting Mauritius in developing sea and air links on the remote Agalega Islands. Security experts believe that Diego Garcia could serve as a useful operational base for Indian surveillance aircraft to monitor activities in the region.

The China Factor

Mauritius sees India and the U.S. as strategic partners in containing China’s influence in the region. China has heavily invested in infrastructure projects, including seaports and highways, in multiple Indian Ocean countries such as the Maldives and Sri Lanka. This has raised concerns among regional powers about Beijing’s long-term strategic objectives.

Conclusion

Modi’s visit to Mauritius is expected to reinforce India’s strategic and diplomatic ties with the island nation while addressing key geopolitical concerns. The outcomes of the discussions could have significant implications for Indo-Pacific security and regional power dynamics.

“India’s PM Narendra Modi to Visit Mauritius for Strategic Talks” “India’s PM Narendra Modi to Visit Mauritius for Strategic Talks” “India’s PM Narendra Modi to Visit Mauritius for Strategic Talks”