Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Mauritian counterpart, Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam, held extensive discussions on the full spectrum of India-Mauritius relations during Modi’s State Visit to the island nation on March 11-12, 2025. The two leaders reaffirmed the deep-rooted ties between their countries, emphasizing shared historical, cultural, and linguistic bonds that have evolved into a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership benefiting both nations and the broader Indian Ocean region.
During their meeting on March 11, the Mauritian Prime Minister highlighted India’s steadfast role in his country’s socio-economic development since independence, calling India a “trusted partner.” Modi, recalling his 2015 visit, underscored Mauritius’s significance in India’s Vision SAGAR—Security and Growth for All in the Region—and its place in India’s Neighbourhood First policy and engagement with the Global South. The leaders agreed to deepen the partnership further, transforming it into an enhanced Strategic Partnership.
High-level political exchanges remain a key aspect of bilateral relations, with both countries committed to strengthening parliamentary cooperation, sharing governance best practices, and intensifying interactions between lawmakers. The leaders also acknowledged Mauritius’s participation in India’s G20 Presidency as a guest country, which further deepened engagement across multiple sectors.
India continues to be Mauritius’s leading development partner, funding and supporting major infrastructure projects. The two leaders reviewed the progress of key initiatives, including the Metro Express, the new Supreme Court building, and social housing projects. Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to supporting future projects, including the timely delivery of 100 electric buses, replacing 100 kilometers of water pipeline under a new Line of Credit agreement, and constructing a new Parliament building in Mauritius with Indian grant assistance. The leaders also discussed the redevelopment of the Ganga Talao Spiritual Sanctuary as part of their broader cultural collaboration.
Mauritius expressed gratitude for India’s role in disaster response, citing India’s swift assistance in the aftermath of Cyclone Chido, including transport aircraft and ships for relief efforts. India’s development of new infrastructure on Agalega, including a runway and jetty, was recognized for its critical role in humanitarian aid and maritime security.
Human resource development and capacity building remain central to bilateral cooperation, with India continuing to provide training for Mauritian civil servants, law enforcement, and diplomats. The two sides agreed to expand institutional linkages between key Mauritian institutions and Indian counterparts, further strengthening expertise in governance, forensic science, and national archives.
In the field of space and climate change, India and Mauritius committed to advancing cooperation, including the development of a joint satellite, implementation of climate monitoring systems, and renewed collaboration between Mauritius and the Indian Space Research Organisation. The proposed Earth Observation initiative under India’s QUAD partnership aims to enhance Mauritius’s ability to monitor extreme weather events and climate impact.
Health and education collaboration featured prominently in discussions, with India’s support for Mauritius’s healthcare digitization efforts, expansion of Jan Aushadhi Kendras for affordable medicine, and expertise in drug rehabilitation. Both leaders acknowledged the importance of strengthening educational ties, including curriculum development and science and technology collaboration.
Trade and economic relations remain a cornerstone of bilateral cooperation, with the leaders underscoring the need to maximize opportunities under the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA), India’s first trade agreement with an African country. They discussed boosting investments in emerging sectors such as fintech, ocean economy, and pharmaceuticals while finalizing mechanisms for trade settlements in local currencies.
Digital cooperation was also on the agenda, with India offering support for Mauritius’s digital transformation initiatives, including e-judiciary systems, archival digitization, and cybersecurity. The leaders explored implementing successful Indian digital governance models in Mauritius to enhance service delivery and efficiency.
Defense and maritime security cooperation received significant attention, with both leaders reaffirming their commitment to a free, open, and secure Indian Ocean Region. Mauritius expressed appreciation for India’s ongoing assistance in protecting its Exclusive Economic Zone through defense equipment, joint maritime surveillance, and hydrographic surveys. India pledged continued support, including the provisioning of defense assets, the expansion of joint patrols, and assistance in establishing a National Maritime Information Sharing Center in Mauritius.
On multilateral cooperation, India reiterated its firm support for Mauritius in its ongoing negotiations with the United Kingdom over the Chagos Islands. Both sides agreed to enhance regional security cooperation through organizations like the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and the Colombo Security Conclave, aligning their efforts to address strategic challenges in the region.
The visit also reaffirmed strong cultural and people-to-people ties, with plans to enhance diaspora engagement, preserve historical records of Indian indentured workers in Mauritius, and promote tourism and religious exchanges. Both countries agreed to deepen cultural collaboration through initiatives such as the Know India Program and the Ramayana Trail, strengthening the historical connections between their people.
The visit marked a significant step in reinforcing India-Mauritius ties, with both leaders charting a path for deeper collaboration across political, economic, defense, and cultural spheres. The strengthened partnership is expected to drive mutual growth and contribute to stability and prosperity in the Indian Ocean region.
