Historical Overview of India-Mauritius Relations

• Colonial Era and Indentured Labor System:

Mauritius was colonized by the French (1715-1810) and later by the British (1810-1968).
French settlers first brought Indian artisans and masons from Puducherry in the 1700s.
The British introduced the indentured labor system (1834-early 1900s), bringing Indian laborers to work on sugar plantations.
Nearly 500,000 Indians arrived, with two-thirds eventually settling in Mauritius.

• Indian Diaspora and Cultural Preservation:

Today, nearly 70% of Mauritius’ population is of Indian origin, with prominent Bhojpuri, Tamil, Telugu, and Marathi-speaking communities.
Many Mauritians of Indian descent, primarily from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, have preserved their languages, cultural festivals, and traditions.

• Freedom Struggle and Diplomatic Ties:

Mauritius gained independence in 1968, with its nationalist movement influenced by India’s own freedom struggle.
Mahatma Gandhi’s visit to Mauritius in 1901 inspired workers to seek education and political empowerment.
Indian leaders supported the Mauritian independence movement, and formal diplomatic relations were established in 1948.

• Strengthening Cultural Connections:

India has established key cultural institutions in Mauritius, including the Mahatma Gandhi Institute (1976), Rabindranath Tagore Institute (2000), and World Hindi Secretariat (2018).
The Indira Gandhi Centre for Indian Culture (1987) is India’s largest cultural center abroad, promoting Indian languages, traditions, and heritage.

• Modern Diplomatic and Strategic Relations:

India-Mauritius relations have expanded beyond cultural and historical ties to include economic, security, and strategic cooperation.
Mauritius’ strategic location in the Western Indian Ocean plays a crucial role in India’s maritime security and regional interests.

• Economic and Trade Relations:

Mauritius serves as a key economic partner and a gateway for Indian businesses into Africa.Bilateral trade between the two nations reached $851.13 million in FY 2023-24, with India exporting goods worth $778.03 million.India’s primary exports include petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, and textiles, while Mauritius exports vanilla, medical devices, and aluminum alloys.
Mauritius remains one of the largest sources of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into India, contributing $177 billion since 2000—accounting for 25% of India’s total FDI inflows.
The Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) has strengthened Mauritius’ role as a global financial hub.

• India-Assisted Development Projects:

India has extended $1.1 billion in development assistance to Mauritius, supporting various infrastructure and socio-economic projects.Key initiatives include the Metro Express, Supreme Court Building, ENT Hospital, and Social Housing programs.
Recently, 20 India-funded projects were inaugurated, including the Civil Services College ($4.75 million) and community infrastructure projects worth ₹7 crores.A $500 million Line of Credit (2017) has been instrumental in financing critical infrastructure development.India has also supported Mauritius with educational initiatives by providing digital tablets for students and launching its first overseas Jan Aushadhi Kendra (2024).Under the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA) 2021, Indian exports to Mauritius have significantly increased.

• Humanitarian Assistance and Crisis Response:

India has consistently supported Mauritius during crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the Wakashio oil spill (2020), and Cyclone Chido (2024).Through the “Vaccine Maitri” initiative, India provided vaccines, oxygen concentrators, and medical aid, reinforcing its role as a reliable partner in humanitarian assistance.

• Strategic and Geopolitical Importance:

Mauritius holds strategic significance for India’s maritime security and its efforts to counter external influence in the Indian Ocean.With an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 2.3 million sq. km, Mauritius is a crucial partner in regional security initiatives.
India has developed Agaléga Island for maritime surveillance and established coastal radar stations to enhance security monitoring.
India also supports Mauritius’ sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, reinforcing regional stability and countering external geopolitical pressures.
Mauritius is actively integrated into India’s Information Fusion Centre for the Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) and is a key participant in the Colombo Security Conclave (India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bangladesh, Mauritius).
Additionally, Mauritius remains a vital partner in India’s “Security and Growth for All in the Region” (SAGAR) vision.

Challenges in India-Mauritius Bilateral Relations

• Geopolitical Competition:

Mauritius maintains diplomatic ties with multiple global players, including India, China, Europe, Gulf states, and Russia, creating a competitive environment in the Indian Ocean.
China has significantly increased its infrastructure investments, particularly in port development and economic projects, influencing regional dynamics.

• Dependence on Indian Assistance:

Mauritius benefits extensively from India’s concessional credit, grants, and development aid, raising concerns over economic dependency.
India has provided $1.1 billion in assistance, supporting key projects such as the Metro Express, Social Housing, and Supreme Court.
To ensure economic resilience, Mauritius seeks to diversify its partnerships and reduce reliance on a single nation for financial and security needs.

• Economic and Trade Barriers:

Despite the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA) in 2021, trade between India and Mauritius remains modest compared to India’s broader trade relations with Africa.
While Mauritius is India’s second-largest FDI source, investment inflows have declined due to amendments in tax treaties and evolving global regulatory frameworks.

• Balancing Ethnic and Diplomatic Engagement:

Mauritius is home to a diverse population comprising Indian-origin, African, and European communities.
Although India shares deep historical and cultural ties with Indian-origin Mauritians (who make up 70% of the population), it must ensure inclusive engagement with all ethnic groups to maintain balanced diplomatic relations.

• Environmental and Climate Risks:

Mauritius faces severe climate-related challenges, including rising sea levels, frequent cyclones, and coastal degradation.
The Wakashio oil spill (2020) and Cyclone Chido (2024) underscored the ecological vulnerabilities that threaten Mauritius’ marine economy and tourism industry.

• Maritime Security Concerns and External Influence:

Mauritius’ vast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 2.3 million sq. km necessitates robust security collaboration.
India has developed Agaléga Island for joint maritime surveillance and established coastal radar stations. However, external players such as China, Gulf states, and Russia are expanding their naval presence in the region, impacting strategic stability.

• Limited Private Sector Participation:

While Indian public sector enterprises (PSUs) like Bank of Baroda, LIC, SBI, and Indian Oil have a strong presence in Mauritius, private sector engagement remains limited.
Low participation from Indian private businesses restricts opportunities for innovation, trade diversification, and enhanced commercial collaboration.

Way Forward to Strengthen India-Mauritius Relations

• Expanding Economic Partnership for Sustainable Growth:

India and Mauritius should broaden the scope of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA) by including services, fintech, and digital trade to maximize trade opportunities.
Mauritius has requested amendments to the Double Taxation Avoidance Convention (DTAC) and CECPA to attract higher foreign direct investment (FDI), which both nations should address through diplomatic discussions.
Positioning Mauritius as India’s financial gateway to Africa will foster greater investments and economic collaboration.

• Enhancing Maritime Security and Defense Cooperation: 

Strengthening joint naval exercises between India and Mauritius will improve coastal security and anti-piracy operations.
Further integrating the Agaléga facility into regional security initiatives, such as the Colombo Security Conclave, will help counter growing foreign naval activities in the Indian Ocean.

• Building Climate Resilience and Environmental Sustainability:

India and Mauritius should collaborate on climate adaptation initiatives, particularly in coastal resilience, renewable energy, and disaster management.
Expanding India’s support for marine conservation and sustainable fisheries will contribute to Mauritius’ long-term ecological and economic stability.

• Encouraging Private Sector Investments and Digital Connectivity:

India should promote greater private sector involvement, particularly in emerging fields such as technology, artificial intelligence, and financial services.
Establishing a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) for Indian startups in Mauritius could create a regional hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.
Expanding digital connectivity and e-commerce partnerships will further enhance economic cooperation.

• Boosting Tourism and Strengthening Cultural Exchanges:

Enhancing air connectivity and tourism promotion between India and Mauritius will facilitate cultural exchange and economic opportunities.
India should introduce heritage tourism initiatives that highlight Mauritius’ deep historical connections with Indian-origin communities.
Increasing scholarships under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program will support higher education exchange and technical training.

• Positioning Mauritius as a Key Diplomatic Partner in Africa:

Given its strategic location, Mauritius can serve as a critical partner in India’s outreach to Africa.
Strengthening Mauritius’ role in African Union engagements and Indo-Pacific security dialogues will contribute to regional stability and reinforce India’s presence in the region.

India and Mauritius share deep-rooted historical, economic, and strategic ties that must continuously evolve to meet changing global dynamics. Enhancing trade, security collaboration, environmental sustainability, and digital connectivity will help build a resilient and future-ready partnership. As global geopolitical challenges intensify, India must reaffirm its commitment to Mauritius as a stable and strategic ally in the Indian Ocean region.