A Special Bond: India-Mauritius Relations through an Indian Lens

India and Mauritius share a unique bond, deeply rooted in history, culture, and a shared future. This relationship, often termed as "special," is nurtured by strong people-to-people ties, economic partnerships, and a shared vision for a stable and prosperous Indian Ocean region. From an Indian perspective, the multifaceted relationship with Mauritius holds immense significance on several fronts:

1. Historical and Cultural Connect:

• Shared Ancestry: The presence of a large Indian diaspora in Mauritius, comprising nearly 68% of the population, forms the bedrock of the relationship. Descendants of indentured laborers who arrived in the 19th century, they have preserved their Indian heritage, language, and traditions, creating a vibrant cultural tapestry.
• Indelible Influence: This diaspora has significantly influenced Mauritian society, shaping its cuisine, music, festivals, and social fabric. This shared cultural space fosters a sense of familiarity and understanding between the two nations.
• High-Level Visits: Frequent exchanges at the highest political level, including visits by Indian Prime Ministers and Presidents to Mauritius, signify the importance India attaches to this relationship. These visits often coincide with landmark events and celebrations, reaffirming the shared history and future.
• Cultural Exchanges: India actively promotes cultural exchanges through organizations like the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), facilitating artistic collaborations, academic partnerships, and literary festivals, further enriching the cultural landscape.

2. Strategic Significance and Security Cooperation:

• Gateway to Africa: Mauritius, strategically located in the Indian Ocean, serves as a crucial maritime partner for India. It provides India with a strategic foothold in the region and acts as a gateway to mainland Africa.
• Security Umbrella: Recognizing the growing importance of maritime security, India has extended its security umbrella to Mauritius. This includes capacity building for the Mauritian Coast Guard, joint naval exercises, and information sharing on maritime domain awareness.
• Combating Transnational Threats: India and Mauritius collaborate closely to combat transnational threats like piracy, drug trafficking, illegal fishing, and terrorism in the Indian Ocean region. This partnership is vital for maintaining peace and stability in this strategically important waterway.
• Support on International Forums: Mauritius consistently supports India's stance on critical issues at international platforms like the United Nations, further strengthening the bilateral relationship and promoting shared interests on the global stage.

3. Economic Partnership and Development Cooperation:

• Trade and Investment: India is among the top trading partners of Mauritius. Key exports from India include petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, and textiles, while Mauritius exports sugar, apparel, and cut diamonds to India.
• Development Assistance: India has been a steadfast development partner for Mauritius, extending Lines of Credit (LOC) and grants for infrastructure projects, capacity building initiatives, and social development programs.
• Capacity Building: India's technical expertise is shared with Mauritius through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program, providing training and skill development opportunities in various sectors.
• Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA): The India-Mauritius DTAA has played a significant role in attracting foreign investment into India. While it has undergone revisions to enhance transparency, it remains an important aspect of the economic partnership.

4. Maritime Cooperation and Blue Economy:

• Shared Maritime Domain: Both nations share an extensive Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the Indian Ocean, creating vast potential for collaboration in the maritime domain.
• Blue Economy: Recognizing the immense potential of the "blue economy," India and Mauritius are cooperating in areas like marine resource exploration, sustainable fisheries, oceanographic research, and marine biotechnology.
• Ocean Governance: Sharing a common interest in promoting responsible ocean governance, both nations work together at international forums to address issues like marine pollution, climate change impacts on oceans, and promoting sustainable fishing practices.
• Hydrographic Surveys: India's expertise in hydrography is being utilized to assist Mauritius in charting its waters, ensuring safe navigation, and supporting marine resource management.

5. People-to-People Ties and Diaspora Engagement:

• Living Bridge: The Indian diaspora in Mauritius acts as a “living bridge" between the two nations. Their deep-rooted cultural connections and contributions to Mauritian society are cherished by both countries.
• Facilitating Travel: India has streamlined visa processes for Mauritian citizens, encouraging tourism, business travel, and cultural exchanges, further strengthening people-to-people ties.
• Diaspora Engagement: The Indian government actively engages with the diaspora in Mauritius, recognizing their role as cultural ambassadors and economic contributors.
• Educational Partnerships: Universities in both countries are collaborating on student exchange programs, joint research projects, and faculty exchange initiatives, fostering greater understanding and knowledge sharing.

Challenges and the Path Forward:

Despite the robust relationship, certain challenges require careful navigation:

• Economic Dependence: Mauritius' economy is vulnerable to fluctuations in the Indian economy. Diversifying trade partners and reducing reliance on specific sectors are crucial for long-term economic sustainability.
• Security Concerns: The increasing presence of non-state actors and geopolitical tensions in the Indian Ocean region pose security challenges that require coordinated efforts and intelligence sharing between both nations.
• Navigating Geopolitical Shifts: The changing geopolitical dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region require India and Mauritius to navigate complex relationships with other regional and global players while maintaining their strategic autonomy.

Looking Ahead:

The future of India-Mauritius relations remains bright. As both nations navigate a dynamic global order, their shared history, cultural affinity, and converging interests will continue to drive the partnership forward. Strengthening cooperation in areas like maritime security, the blue economy, renewable energy, and digital technology will be crucial for mutual growth and prosperity. By leveraging their strengths and addressing challenges collaboratively, India and Mauritius are poised to elevate their "special bond" to greater heights in the years to come.