A Statement in the Indian Ocean

India’s announcement of an airstrip and jetty that it has built on Agalega Island in Mauritius has significant implications. In a virtual ceremony, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth inaugurated the airstrip and jetty.

The move comes in the context of recent tensions between India and another Indian Ocean neighbour - the Maldives - whose leadership has been strongly leaning towards China and away from India.

Given Agaléga Island's strategic location, the project has given rise to speculations about possible military deployments by India. It has also sparked local protests that accuse the Mauritian government of undermining national sovereignty in favour of India.

Background

Mauritius is located in the western Indian Ocean. Almost 70 per cent of its population is Indian origin while the rest are Creole, Sino-Mauritian and Franco-Mauritian. It was colonized by the French and then the British, gaining its independence in 1968.

While under British rule, it witnessed an influx of large numbers of Indian indentured workers from 1834 onwards, who were brought in after the British abolished slavery. About two-thirds of these workers settled down on the island permanently, resulting in the Indian-origin people it has today.

Following its independence, Mauritian leaders accorded India a central position in its foreign policy and this has continued in successive governments. Additionally, India has been one of its largest trading partners since 2005. In 2022-2023, Indian exports to Mauritius amounted to $462.69 million while Mauritian exports to India totalled $91.50 million.

The two Indian Ocean nations have cooperated through many large developmental projects in Mauritius. Additionally, India has extended several lines of credit (LOCs) to the nation to support its infrastructure and human resources development as well as defence and security equipment.

Further, India has acted as a first responder in recent crises such as in helping contain the Wakashio oil spill in 2020 or during the Covid-19 pandemic when India not only delivered medical supplies but was the first to supply vaccines to Mauritius.

India commenced the airstrip and jetty project after signing a 2015 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Port Louis towards improving sea and air transport facilities in Agaléga Island. Along with it, it also announced six community development projects.

Analysis

The recent tensions between the markedly pro-China and anti-India Maldives government and the Indian government have added to a concerning geopolitical trend in the region as many countries seem to be leaning towards China, India’s regional rival. Soon after the Maldives government ordered Indian troops to leave the country, it struck a military assistance deal with China.

At a structural level, Chinese investments and BRI’s influence across India’s neighbours threaten to weaken the historical Indian influence in these countries. Srilanka, an Indian Ocean neighbour very close to India, is mired deep in Chinese debt.

At a strategic level, the race to dominate the maritime space in the Indian Ocean has

become fiercer as the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) sends more of its platforms, including submarines and spy ships, into the Northern Indian Ocean close to Indian waters while a growing blue water Indian Navy tries to maintain its primacy in Maritime Situational Dominance over the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

The new Indian-built facilities have set off allegations in Mauritius that India may establish a military base on the Agaléga Island, affecting the country’s sovereignty. Opposition parties have levelled this accusation at the current government under Mr Jugnauth as well as the previous government.

The Indian and Mauritian governments have dismissed the allegation and emphasized that the new airstrip and jetty are focused on improving the maritime security of Mauritius. Yet, speculation continues about possible Indian deployments of maritime patrol aircraft on the new facilities.

The jetty and airstrip are not just a goodwill gesture but also serve as useful civilian infrastructure assets that can be used for various operations such as an emergency landing for evacuation, chartered flights, and other such services. The Indian government also pointed to the projects’ role in improving connectivity between mainland Mauritius and Agalega.

The inauguration of the projects comes soon after the launch of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and RuPay Card services in Mauritius. Further, Mauritius will be the first country to join India’s Jan Aushadhi initiative – a program to provide generic medicines at affordable prices.

The move accentuates India’s efforts to take a proactive role in the Indian Ocean in light of China’s increasing activity, economic influence, and strategic presence. It also shows its efforts to successfully engage and cooperate with its IOR neighbours like Mauritius, Seychelles, and Srilanka towards cultivating stronger ties. While its outreach may not be able to match China’s deep pockets, it is still able to serve as a significant strategic partner, underscored by economic support and diplomatic ties.