Context:
Indian and Mauritian prime ministers inaugurated an airstrip and a jetty to ensure security and connectivity to Mauritius’ Agalega islands.
Agalega Islands
- Agaléga Islands, comprising of two islands namely North Island and South Island, are a remote dependency of Mauritius located in the western Indian Ocean.
- They lie approximately 1,050 kilometers north of Port Louis (the capital city of Mauritius).
- The primary settlements on the island are Vingt Cinq on the North Island and Sainte Rita on the South Island.
- In 2015, India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to improve sea and air transportation facilities.
Significance of New Airstrip and Jetty
• India
- Strengthens bilateral cooperation between India and Mauritius
- Improves sea and air transportation facilities
- Demonstrates India’s commitment to assisting Mauritius in infrastructure development
- Fosters mutual benefit and partnership between the two nations
• Mauritius
- Supports Mauritius in meeting development goals and safeguarding its interests
- Enables more effective monitoring of Mauritius’ Exclusive Economic Zone
- Enhances connectivity and security for Mauritius’ Agalega islands
• Security Threat: India is concerned about potential security threats posed by the presence of China in the Indian Ocean.
Challenges for India in the Indian Ocean region
- China maintains embassies in all six key Indian Ocean islands — Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar, and Comoros unlike traditional players
- String of Pearls: China’s String of Pearls strategy involves building commercial and military bases and ports in multiple countries.
- Establishment of the first overseas military facility in Djibouti in 2017
- Patrolling the Indo-Pacific Region: Reports indicate that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy of China has become the largest naval force in terms of size and numbers.
- Expansion of Belt & Road Initiative (BRI): China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) poses concerns for India as it seeks to increase its influence by co-opting island nations off the eastern coast of Africa.
- Debt Trap Diplomacy: India is concerned about China’s “debt trap diplomacy” in the Indian Ocean region, which could lead to greater Chinese presence in key locations.
India’s measures in the Indian Ocean:
- SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region): India introduced the SAGAR initiative in 2015, aiming for active cooperation among the littoral countries of the Indian Ocean region to enhance maritime security and promote economic growth.
- IORA (Indian-Ocean Rim Association): India has a strong influence in the Indian Ocean region and supports organizations like the Indian-Ocean Rim Association to promote cooperation and dialogue among member states.
- Agreements with other nations: India has signed strategic agreements with countries like France, Seychelles, Oman, Singapore, and Indonesia to enhance naval cooperation and access to facilities in the Indian Ocean region.
- IONS (Indian-Ocean Naval Symposium): India participates in the IONS, which is a forum seeking to increase maritime cooperation among navies operating in the Indian Ocean region.
- Security Grid: India is working with littoral countries to establish a security grid aimed at preventing the militarization of the Indian Ocean and ensuring maritime security.
Way forward:
- India should continue to pursue a diplomatic and goodwill approach in the Indian Ocean region to foster cooperation and maintain stability.
- Strengthening its deterrent position through strategic alliances and military capabilities is crucial for India’s security.
- Ensuring the peace and stability of the Indian Ocean remains a top priority for India, requiring proactive engagement with regional and international partners.