India-Mauritius Relations- Key Facts

April 18, 2022

Indo-Mauritian or India–Mauritius refers to the political, historical, military, economic, cultural, and social connections between India and Mauritius. The connections between both nations date back to 1730. In 1948, diplomatic relations between both countries were established before Mauritius became an independent country.

Overview:

The long historical ties between both countries contributed to strong relations between them.
Over 68 per cent of Mauritius’s population are of Indian origin.
Both nations co-operate in combating piracy in the Indian Ocean region.

The history between India and Mauritius

The relationship between India and Mauritius can be traced back to the early 1730s when artisans were brought from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, while in 1948 diplomatic relations were established. Indian workers, from the 1820s, I started coming to Mauritius to work on the sugar plantations in the country. After slavery was abolished by the British Parliament in 1834, large numbers of Indian workers were brought into Mauritius regularly as indentured labourers. On 2nd November 1834, the ship christened ‘Atlas’ arrived in Mauritius carrying the first batch of indentured labourers from India. This day is at present observed as the ‘Aapravasi Day’. Between 1834 to the early decades of the 20th century, around half a million Indian labourers were brought into the country of which two-thirds settled permanently in Mauritius. A report of the US has assessed that Mauritius’ is a willing subordinate of India. In 1983, a key turning point came in the relationship between both nations when India planned military intervention in Mauritius in Operation Lal Dora to ensure that the country stayed under the strategic orbit of India. In 2015, India signed an agreement with Mauritius to set up eight Indian-controlled coastal surveillance radar stations in the country.

Trade between India and Mauritius

Since 2007, India has become Mauritius’ largest source of imports. In the April 2010-March 2011 financial year Mauritius had imported goods worth USD 816 million. Also, Mauritius remains to be India’s largest source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for over a decade with FDI equity inflows amounting to USD 55.2 billion from April 2000 to April 2011.

Military co-operation between both countries

Mauritius also forms a part of the security grid of India including the Indian Navy’s National Command Control Communication Intelligence Network’s Coastal Surveillance Radar (CSR) station. The Mauritian National Security Advisor and the Head of Mauritius Navy are Indian officers.

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