From Delhi to Port Louis

Topic: GS2 – International Relations

Context

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Mauritius aims to strengthen strategic ties and reinforce India’s influence in the Western Indian Ocean amid growing geopolitical competition.

Strategic Ties Between India and Mauritius

• India and Mauritius share a deep and multifaceted relationship, strengthened by the large Indian-origin population in Mauritius (nearly 70% of its 1.3 million people).
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Mauritius, almost exactly a decade after his last visit in 2015, underscores India’s intention to deepen the strategic partnership.
• Modi’s 2015 visit highlighted the importance of the Western Indian Ocean islands within India’s broader SAGAR (Security and Growth for All) framework, which seeks to enhance India’s maritime influence and security in the Indian Ocean.

Mauritius’s Colonial Legacy and Sovereignty

• Mauritius’s colonial history reflects the complex evolution of global politics. European colonial powers—Portuguese, Dutch, French, and British—controlled the island at different points.
• After gaining independence from Britain in 1968, Mauritius fought to reclaim sovereignty over the Chagos archipelago, which Britain had separated and leased to the US for a military base on Diego Garcia.
• The recent UK-Mauritius agreement on Chagos confirms Mauritius’s sovereignty, aligns with the 2019 International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling, and sets a legal precedent for other post-colonial disputes.
• This agreement also addresses humanitarian concerns of displaced Chagos residents and facilitates long-term environmental cooperation between Mauritius and the UK.

Geopolitical Implications of the Chagos Agreement

• Mauritius’s decision to extend the lease on Diego Garcia for 99 years ensures the continued presence of the US military in the Indian Ocean, countering China’s growing influence in the region.
• While critics in the UK and US have warned that the agreement could enable Chinese dominance, the reality is that it strengthens US strategic positioning.
• India played a behind-the-scenes role in promoting this pragmatic agreement, aligning it with India’s regional security interests and countering China’s naval ambitions.

India’s Infrastructure Development on Agaléga Island

• India’s investment in logistics infrastructure on Agaléga Island reflects Mauritius’s strategic importance and India’s growing maritime stakes.
• Mauritius’s geographic position, historically known as the “Star and Key of the Indian Ocean,” remains critical for trade and military strategy.
• Though the Suez Canal temporarily reduced its importance, the two World Wars and the Cold War restored Mauritius’s strategic relevance.
• Today, China’s rise has again made the Western Indian Ocean a zone of intense geopolitical rivalry.

China’s Growing Influence in the Indian Ocean

• China’s strategic interest in the Western Indian Ocean stems from its reliance on African and Middle Eastern resources and its broader ambitions to project naval power.
• Beijing’s infrastructure projects, including ports and transport corridors, and the establishment of its first overseas military base in Djibouti underscore this strategy.
• China has also cultivated ties with Mauritius and other Indian Ocean islands through economic and diplomatic initiatives.
• Mauritius’s role as a regional financial hub and a bridge between Africa, the Middle East, and Asia adds to its geopolitical importance.

Broader Geopolitical Interest in the Region

• Mauritius’s strategic location has drawn attention from multiple global powers.
• Europe is seeking to reclaim influence, Gulf countries are leveraging financial power, and Russia, Iran, and Turkey are expanding their regional involvement.
• Mauritius’s balanced ties with major powers and its ability to maintain strategic autonomy make it a key player in the region.

India’s Strategic Partnership with Mauritius

• India’s success in strengthening ties with Mauritius stems from more than just shared ethnicity—it reflects India’s role as a reliable and non-interfering partner.
• By supporting Mauritius’s sovereignty and strategic autonomy, India reinforces its influence in the Western Indian Ocean and counters China’s expanding footprint.
• Modi’s visit signals India’s commitment to enhancing this unique bilateral relationship within a broader regional and global framework.

Conclusion

• India’s deepening strategic partnership with Mauritius reflects shared historical ties and growing geopolitical significance, positioning Mauritius as a key player in India’s regional security and diplomatic strategy.

Key Focus Areas of India-Mauritius Ties

Defence and Maritime Security India and Mauritius aim to enhance defence cooperation, with plans to sign a technical agreement for sharing white-shipping information. This will improve maritime security, protect trading routes, and strengthen regional data-sharing. Indian Development Projects India has provided nearly $1.1 billion in development assistance to Mauritius over the last decade, including $729 million in lines of credit and $427 million in grants. Key projects include three phases of the Metro Express and 96 small-scale infrastructure initiatives, of which 51 have been completed. India as a First Responder India has consistently supported Mauritius during crises, including the Covid-19 pandemic, the Wakashio oil spill in 2020, and a recent cyclone, reinforcing its role as a reliable partner. Trade and Investment Mauritius is a major economic partner, ranking as the second-largest source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in India after Singapore. The two countries signed the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement in 2021,India’s first trade deal with an African nation. Several Indian PSUs, including Bank of Baroda, LIC, and NBCC, operate in Mauritius. Space Cooperation India and Mauritius have collaborated in space research since 1986. In 2023, ISRO and the Mauritius Research and Innovation Council (MRIC) signed an MoU to develop a joint satellite, further strengthening space ties. Capacity Building and Education Mauritius is a significant beneficiary of India’s ITEC programme, with around 4,940 Mauritians trained since 2002-03. Additionally, 2,300 Indian students are pursuing higher education in Mauritius in fields such as medicine, hotel management, and business studies. Cultural and Historical Connections The visit will highlight the legacy of Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, whose ancestors were from Bihar, and celebrate shared cultural traditions, including Maha Shivratri and the Ganga Talao pilgrimage site.

Practice Question: Discuss the strategic importance of Mauritius in India’s regional security and diplomatic strategy, considering the evolving geopolitical dynamics in the Western Indian Ocean. (150 Words /10 marks)

2. Green shoots in the valley

Topic: GS2 – Governance

Context

Jammu and Kashmir is experiencing significant economic and strategic transformation driven by infrastructure development, rising tourism, and increasing private investment post-2019.

Analysis of the news:

• Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has been witnessing significant positive developments since the beginning of the year, signaling a shift toward strategic and economic transformation.
• The inauguration of the Sonmarg Tunnel, the successful trial of the Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat train, and major private sector investments in the region highlight the increasing integration of J&K with the rest of the country.
• These developments reflect the broader impact of the Centre’s post-2019 policy push toward physical and economic integration.
• Beyond the immediate improvements in infrastructure, these changes open up substantial economic potential for the region, reducing its reliance on central financial support.

Strategic Infrastructure Push

• A significant driver of change has been the Centre’s focused infrastructure strategy post-2019.
• The pace of road construction has tripled from 6.5 km per day in 2019 to 20.5 km per day by the end of 2022.
• The completion of key infrastructure projects, such as the Sonmarg Tunnel and the Vande Bharat connection to Srinagar, will provide all-weather connectivity and improve access to remote areas.
• These projects not only strengthen the region’s strategic connectivity but also create the foundation for economic growth by improving the movement of goods and people.

Tourism as a Growth Engine

• Tourism stands out as a key sector that can benefit immensely from improved connectivity.
• New areas like Gool, Sangaldan, and Khari are now more accessible, while established destinations like Gulmarg and Pahalgam are experiencing higher tourist footfalls.
• However, to maximize the benefits of increased tourism, J&K needs a revamped tourism strategy.
• This includes expanding hotel capacity, improving sanitation and transportation, and developing exclusive experiences like health resorts, golf circuits, and adventure tourism.
• Careful ecological management and capacity assessments are crucial to avoid over-tourism, which could undermine the sector’s long-term sustainability.

Potential in Horticulture and High-Value Crops

• J&K’s horticulture sector, particularly apple production, holds untapped potential.
• Current yields are significantly lower than those in Italy and New Zealand. Boosting production through high-yielding varieties and intensive orcharding could substantially increase output.
• Improved connectivity offers an opportunity to invest in cold chain infrastructure and processing facilities, enabling the region to capture more value from its produce.
• The growing global demand for organic and specialty products like saffron, walnuts, and berries presents an opportunity for J&K to expand its agricultural exports and increase revenue.

Rising Private Investment and Industrial Development

• J&K’s 9.5% growth rate, primarily driven by public investment, now has the potential to transition toward private sector-led growth.
• The 2021 New Industrial Development Scheme has attracted strong investor interest, highlighted by a major cement deal—the first large private investment in manufacturing in the region.
• J&K could also position itself as a destination for Indian Global Capability Centres (GCCs) moving into Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
• However, attracting and sustaining private investment will require improvements in governance, land availability, infrastructure, and skill development.

Governance and Structural Reforms

• For J&K to sustain this growth trajectory, a strong facilitative regime is essential.
• This includes faster decision-making, simplified regulations, access to capital, and efficient infrastructure provisioning.
• Strengthening governance capacity will help create an environment conducive to business and investment, ensuring that the momentum from recent developments translates into long-term economic transformation.

Conclusion

• Jammu and Kashmir stands at the threshold of a major economic and strategic shift.
• The combination of infrastructure growth, increasing tourism potential, enhanced horticultural output, and rising private investment creates a virtuous cycle of development.
• With improved governance and sustained central support, J&K can reduce its financial dependence on the Centre and emerge as a self-sufficient economic hub.

Practice Question: Discuss the economic and strategic transformation in Jammu and Kashmir post-2019, highlighting the role of infrastructure development, tourism, and private investment in driving growth. (150 Words /10 marks)

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