Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Mains level: India-Mauritius relation;
Why in the News?
Prime Minister Modi will visit Mauritius on March 11-12, 2025, to strengthen relations with the new government and confirm India’s support for the island’s security and growth.
What are the key historical and cultural ties between India and Mauritius?
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Why is maritime security cooperation between India and Mauritius crucial?
- Strategic Location in the Indian Ocean: Mauritius lies at a key maritime crossroads in the western Indian Ocean, making it vital for monitoring international shipping lanes and securing regional trade. Example: The Colombo Security Conclave (including India, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Bangladesh) enhances cooperation to ensure maritime safety.
- Countering China’s Expanding Influence: With China increasing its presence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) through infrastructure projects and naval activities, India’s partnership with Mauritius helps balance regional power. Example: India’s Agaléga Island redevelopment supports surveillance and counters China’s maritime ambitions.
- Securing Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs): Mauritius has an EEZ of 2.3 million sq. km, rich in marine resources. Collaboration ensures these areas are protected from illegal activities like fishing and piracy. Example: India’s INS Sarvekshak recently completed an ocean survey of 25,000 sq. km in Mauritius’ EEZ to enhance maritime mapping and security.
- Joint Surveillance and Intelligence Sharing: Surveillance cooperation enhances maritime domain awareness and secures trade routes against piracy, trafficking, and other threats. Example: Mauritius has access to India’s Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) in Gurugram for real-time maritime intelligence.
- Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR): Close maritime ties enable swift disaster response and the delivery of humanitarian aid in times of crisis. Example: India provided naval assistance to Mauritius during the MV Wakashio oil spill disaster in 2020.
Where has India invested in maritime infrastructure and security cooperation with Mauritius?
- Agaléga Island Development: India is redeveloping Agaléga Island to establish airstrips and port facilities for joint surveillance and maritime domain awareness. Example: This facility enhances monitoring of maritime traffic and strengthens anti-piracy and anti-smuggling operations.
- Coastal Radar Surveillance Network: India has installed a network of coastal radar stations in Mauritius to improve maritime security and real-time surveillance of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Example: This system helps track illegal maritime activities like smuggling and unauthorized fishing.
- Access to the Information Fusion Centre (IFC-IOR): India provides Mauritius access to its Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR), which enables intelligence sharing and coordinated maritime operations. Example: Mauritius can monitor maritime traffic, enhancing its ability to protect its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and respond to emerging threats.
What role does the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) play in their economic partnership?
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Way forward:
- Enhance Maritime Security Collaboration: There is a need to strengthen joint surveillance, intelligence sharing, and capacity-building initiatives to secure the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and safeguard maritime trade routes.
- Deepen Economic and Financial Cooperation: The Government should adapt the DTAA framework to maintain investor confidence while fostering transparent, sustainable investment flows between the two nations.
Mains PYQ:
Q Why was indentured labour taken by the British from India to their colonies? have they been able to preserve their cultural identity over there? (UPSC IAS/2018)
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