Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Mauritius to strengthen strategic ties in light of U.S. support for a Mauritius-Britain agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago. The visit emphasizes India’s commitment to Mauritius’ sovereignty claims and security collaboration, pivotal in countering Chinese influence in the Indian Ocean.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Mauritius on Tuesday to enhance strategic relations, amidst U.S. President Donald Trump’s indication of support for a Mauritius-Britain agreement regarding the status of a U.S.-British military installation. During this visit, Modi will serve as the chief guest for Mauritius’s national day and engage with the Prime Minister, Navinchandra Ramgoolam, who recently began his third term.
The recent comments from Trump regarding a deal that affects the Chagos Archipelago, which includes Diego Garcia—the site of a significant U.S.-British military base since the 1970s—have been positively received by India. Officials from New Delhi have historically aligned with Mauritius’ sovereignty claims over these islands and have recently supported the U.S. military presence to limit Chinese expansion in the region.
India’s Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri, mentioned, “During the (Modi’s) visit there will be an opportunity perhaps for the Mauritius side to update us on any issues that might still be outstanding… we continue to support Mauritius in its efforts to reach a mutually satisfactory and mutually beneficial deal.” Despite gaining independence in 1968, Mauritius has not regained control over the Chagos, where residents were displaced to establish Diego Garcia.
Experts, such as Samuel Bashfield from the Australia India Institute, assert that India’s influence in sustaining the U.S. presence on Diego Garcia is critical for counterbalancing China’s influence in the Indian Ocean. India has been aiding Mauritius in improving infrastructure on the Agalega Islands to secure its regional positioning, indicating a stronger defense collaboration between India and Mauritius.
A source associated with Prime Minister Ramgoolam noted, “Mauritius sees India and the U.S. sharing the same interest of containing the Chinese influence within the region,” as China continues to invest heavily in various infrastructure projects across the Indian Ocean region.
In summary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s forthcoming visit to Mauritius signifies India’s commitment to strengthening its strategic partnership with the island nation, particularly regarding the Chagos Archipelago’s sovereignty issue. Additionally, the support expressed by U.S. President Trump reinforces the collaborative efforts to address security dynamics in the Indian Ocean, aimed at countering China’s growing influence. The developments underscore the intertwining interests of India, Mauritius, and the United States in regional security matters, particularly concerning military presence and infrastructure development.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
