Context: The Prime Minister of India will be on a two-day State visit to Mauritius as the Chief Guest at the Mauritius National Day celebrations on March 12.
Overview:
- Mauritius has close ties with India, rooted in shared history, culture, and demographics.
- Nearly 70% of the Mauritian population is of Indian origin (28% Creole, 3% Sino-Mauritian, 1% Franco-Mauritian).
Historical Background:
- Mauritius was a British and French colony. It gained independence in 1968.
- The first group of indentured workers, 36 persons, arrived on November 2, 1834, aboard the ship ‘Atlas’, now observed as ‘Aapravasi Diwas’.
- Mahatma Gandhi visited Mauritius in 1901 and promoted education, political empowerment, and ties with India.
- National Day in Mauritius is celebrated on March 12, in honor of Gandhi’s Dandi Salt March.
Bilateral Relations:
- India established diplomatic relations with Mauritius in 1948, even before Mauritius became independent.
- India had an Indian Commissioner in Mauritius from 1948 to 1968 and a High Commissioner after 1968.
- The relationship is marked by high-level political engagement, cooperation in maritime security, development, technical assistance, and vibrant cultural exchanges.
- India has been the “First Responder” during crises in Mauritius, including the Covid-19 pandemic and the 2020 Wakashio oil spill.
Commercial Relations:
- India is one of the largest trading partners of Mauritius since 2005.
- Economic Ties: India is one of Mauritius’ largest trading partners and the second-largest source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into India in FY 2023-24.
- Trade Agreement: India and Mauritius signed the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA) in February 2021, India’s first trade agreement with an African nation.
- FDI from Mauritius to India:
- Since 2000, cumulative FDI from Mauritius to India totals USD 175 billion (25% of total FDI inflows into India).
- FDI equity inflows for FY 2023-24: USD 7.97 billion; for FY 2024-25 (April–June): USD 3.21 billion.
- Indian Public Sector Undertakings in Mauritius:
11 Indian PSUs in Mauritius, including Bank of Baroda, Life Insurance Corporation, New India Assurance Corporation, Indian Oil (Mauritius), State Bank of India, and more.
India-Assisted Projects in Mauritius:
- 2016 Grant: USD 353 million for five priority projects: Metro Express, Supreme Court Building, New ENT Hospital, Social Housing, Digital Tablets for schoolchildren.
- 2017 Line of Credit (LoC): USD 500 million for 10 projects, with 7 completed (Metro, Social Housing, Solar Power, Police Academy, etc.).
- 96 Community Development Projects: Signed in 2022, 50 completed.
- Other India-assisted projects: Upadhyay Training Centre, Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital, Subramania Bharati Eye Centre, Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre, and more.
Cultural and Educational Relations:
- Indian Cultural Centre (IGCIC): Established in 1987, the largest abroad. Over 2,500 Mauritians attend classes in Hindustani music, Kathak, Tabla, and Yoga annually.
- Know India Programme (KIP): Since 2004, 367 Mauritians have participated in 62 batches.
- Youth Exchange Programmes: 10-member Mauritian youth delegation participated in NCC exchange in August 2022, with more delegations in 2023 and 2024.
- ITEC and Scholarships: Mauritius is one of the largest beneficiaries of the ITEC program, with around 400 training slots yearly. India also offers scholarships through the ICCR India-Africa Maitri Scholarship Scheme.
- Since 2007-08: 4,868 Mauritians trained under ITEC.
- Mauritian students also study in India, with about 200 enrolling annually.
Indian Community in Mauritius:
- Indian Nationals and OCI Holders: 22,188 Indian nationals and 13,198 OCI cardholders.
- OCI Card for Mauritians: Special OCI provisions for Mauritians with Indian lineage up to the 7th generation.
- Visa-Free Regime: Mauritius introduced a visa-free regime for Indian tourists in 2004, and Mauritians receive a gratis visa for India.
- Tourism: Pre-Covid, around 80,000 Indian tourists visited Mauritius annually, and about 30,000 Mauritians visited India.
Strategic importance
- Mauritius’ Role: Key sentinel of the western Indian Ocean, crucial for maritime security.
- Colombo Security Conclave: India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius, and Bangladesh collaborate to ensure ocean security.
- Indian Support:
- Coastal radar stations set up.
- Redeveloped Agaléga Island for joint surveillance.
- Access to the Indian Navy’s Information Fusion Centre (IFC-IOR) in Gurugram.
- Oceanographic Survey: India’s INS Sarvekshak completed a survey of 25,000 sq.km of Mauritius’ ocean territory.
Conclusion:
- The India-Mauritius relationship is strong, with India supporting Mauritius in crises, development projects, and cooperation across trade, education, culture, and commerce.