NEW DELHI: India and Mauritius on Wednesday strengthened their relationship by elevating ties to an ‘enhanced strategic partnership’ and signing eight agreements to cooperate in various sectors, including maritime security and trade in local currencies. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also introduced a new vision for growth and security of the Global South.
On the second and final day of his visit to Mauritius, Modi attended the island nation’s national day celebrations as the chief guest and announced several development projects. After discussions with Mauritian Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, he introduced India’s new vision for the Global South, called “Mahasagar” or “Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions.” This policy approach comes at a time when China is expanding its influence in the Indian Ocean.
“We are committed to extend full cooperation in the security of Mauritius’ Exclusive Economic Zone,” PM Modi said.
The Mahasagar vision builds on the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) policy that Modi first announced during his visit to Mauritius in 2015. SAGAR has guided India’s engagement with the Indian Ocean Region for the past decade.
“We have taken the SAGAR vision forward for the stability and prosperity of this entire region. Today, taking it forward, I would like to say that our vision for the Global South will be, beyond SAGAR — (it will be) Mahasagar that is ‘Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions’,” Modi said in his media statement.
He explained that the new approach would emphasize trade for development, capacity building for sustainable growth, and mutual security for a shared future.
“Under this, cooperation will be ensured through technology sharing, concessional loans and grants,” he said.
“The objective was also to bring the voice of the Global South to the global high table. We did that also through our presidency of the G20. And in advancing Vision Mahasagar, we are demonstrating and signaling once again our commitment to the Global South,” foreign secretary Vikram Misri later explained.
After concluding his visit, Prime Minister Modi departed from Mauritius. During his trip, he was honored with the country’s highest national award, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean.
