PM Modi Unveils ‘MAHASAGAR’ During Mauritius Visit:
A Strategic Vision for the Global South
Ritesh Kumar
P
rime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Mauritius on March 11–12, 2025 to mark the island nation’s 57th National Day signified a decisive shift in India’s maritime diplomacy, economic outreach, and security engagement in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The highlight of his visit was the announcement of ‘MAHASAGAR’—Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions—a bold initiative that extends beyond his earlier SAGAR vision– Security and Growth for All in the Region that he first laid out in Mauritius a decade ago.
The Evolution from SAGAR to MAHASAGAR
In 2015, PM Modi introduced SAGAR, a vision that underscored India’s commitment to ensuring peace, stability, and economic growth in the IOR through cooperative partnerships. The unveiling of MAHASAGAR expands this vision beyond regional security, embedding it within a broader framework that encompasses economic growth, trade development, capacity building, and strategic security cooperation for the Global South.
As PM Modi remarked, “Ten years ago, the foundation stone of Vision SAGAR was laid here in Mauritius. We have moved forward with this vision for the stability and prosperity of this entire region. Today, taking it forward, our vision for the Global South will be beyond SAGAR—MAHASAGAR.”
Mauritius: A Strategic Partner in the Indian Ocean
Mauritius holds immense strategic value for India. Positioned at the crossroads of key global shipping routes, the island nation serves as a crucial maritime link between Africa, Asia, and Europe. With an increasing global focus on the Indo-Pacific, India’s deepening engagement with Mauritius ensures that it remains a central player in regional governance, security, and economic cooperation.
As part of this strengthened partnership, India and Mauritius elevated their relationship to an “enhanced strategic partnership.” PM Modi announced developmental assistance worth at least 500 million Mauritian rupees and reaffirmed India’s commitment to key projects, including the construction of a new parliament building in Port Louis. Furthermore, both nations signed eight agreements covering diverse areas such as maritime security, technology transfer, and capacity-building initiatives.
India’s Expanding Role in Maritime Security
A cornerstone of MAHASAGAR is its emphasis on security cooperation. India has been a steadfast partner in bolstering Mauritius’ maritime capabilities, supporting its Coast Guard, and assisting in the establishment of a National Maritime Information Sharing Centre. This aligns with India’s broader objective of ensuring a free, open, and rules-based maritime order in the Indo-Pacific.
The Colombo Security Conclave, which Mauritius joined in 2022, exemplifies India’s multilateral approach to strengthening regional security. As China expands its economic and strategic footprint in the IOR through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), India’s proactive engagement with key island nations like Mauritius serves as a counterweight, reinforcing regional stability through sustainable partnerships rather than debt-driven investments.
India’s Developmental and Diplomatic Outreach
Mauritius has been a key beneficiary of India’s development assistance, having received nearly $1.1 billion in concessional loans and grants over the past decade. These funds have supported major infrastructure projects such as the Metro Express, social housing, and healthcare initiatives.
Beyond economic assistance, PM Modi’s visit also underscored India’s diplomatic backing for Mauritius’ sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago. As Mauritius continues negotiations with the United Kingdom for the return of the Chagos Islands, India’s vocal support strengthens its position as a trusted ally in the region.
The Geopolitical Significance of MAHASAGAR
The launch of MAHASAGAR at a time of intensifying global competition in the Indo-Pacific highlights India’s commitment to leading a cooperative, inclusive approach to regional security and economic development. Unlike transactional partnerships that create economic dependencies, India’s engagement model is based on historical ties, mutual respect, and sustainable growth.
As the world increasingly looks towards the Indian Ocean for economic and strategic opportunities, India’s vision through MAHASAGAR ensures that the region remains a zone of peace, prosperity, and shared progress. By reinforcing its partnership with Mauritius, India is not just securing its maritime interests but also shaping the future of the Global South in an era of shifting geopolitical currents.
Agreements Signed During PM Modi’s Visit to Mauritius
1. Agreement between the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Bank of Mauritius – Establishing a framework for promoting the use of local currencies (INR/MUR) for cross-border transactions, facilitating direct exchange rate quotation, and extending INR clearing to COMESA countries.
2. Credit Facility Agreement between the Government of Mauritius and the State Bank of India (SBI) – A Line of Credit worth INR 487.6 crore for the Water Pipeline Replacement Project in Mauritius.
3. MoU on Cooperation in Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) – Between the Ministry of Industry, SME and Cooperatives (Mauritius) and the Ministry of MSMEs (India), focussing on capacity building, exchange of experts, trade exhibitions, and feasibility studies for SME development.
4. MoU between the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service (SSIFS) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mauritius – Aimed at training Mauritian diplomats and facilitating diplomatic exchanges.
5. MoU between the National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG) and the Ministry of Public Service and Administrative Reforms of Mauritius – Providing training for 500 Mauritian civil servants over five years at NCGG, covering leadership, governance, and technical expertise.
6. Technical Agreement on White Shipping Information Sharing – Between the Indian Navy and the Mauritius Police Force to enhance maritime domain awareness, trade safety, and security cooperation.
7. MoU between the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) and the Prime Minister’s Office of Mauritius – Establishing collaboration on ocean research, observation, maritime zone management, and disaster resilience.
8. MoU between the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) and the Financial Crimes Commission (FCC) of Mauritius – Strengthening intelligence sharing and cooperation on anti-corruption and anti-money laundering efforts.
Key Outcomes of PM Modi’s Visit
The agreements signed during Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s visit to Mauritius carry significant implications across economic, diplomatic, security, and regulatory domains. The local currency trade framework between India and Mauritius is particularly noteworthy as it aims to reduce dependency on third-party currencies like the US dollar, thereby improving trade efficiency and fostering deeper economic integration between India and COMESA (Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa) nations. By allowing direct exchange rate quotations and encouraging the establishment of an INR clearing centre in Mauritius, this agreement enhances the island nation’s status as a regional financial hub while reinforcing India’s commitment to monetary cooperation within the Global South. Complementing this economic engagement is the Line of Credit for the Water Pipeline Replacement Project, which underscores India’s long-term infrastructure development partnership with Mauritius. Given that access to clean water remains a fundamental developmental challenge, India’s support in financing this critical project highlights its role as a trusted development partner, prioritising sustainability over mere financial lending. Furthermore, the MoU on cooperation in the MSME sector aligns with India’s broader goal of promoting entrepreneurship, technology sharing, and skill development in Mauritius. By strengthening local businesses and facilitating capacity building, trade fairs, and feasibility studies, India ensures that economic benefits reach both large-scale projects and grassroots enterprises, fostering inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
In the realm of diplomatic and governance cooperation, India’s commitment to strengthening institutional frameworks in Mauritius is evident through agreements focussed on civil service training and diplomatic capacity building. The decision to train 500 Mauritian civil servants at India’s National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG) is a strategic investment in governance excellence, equipping Mauritian officials with expertise in leadership, policy execution, and administrative best practices. Likewise, the MoU between the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service (SSIFS) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mauritius will facilitate greater diplomatic engagement and knowledge exchange, further solidifying bilateral trust. These initiatives are emblematic of India’s soft power diplomacy, wherein it positions itself as a knowledge-sharing partner rather than a traditional donor. Over time, such collaborations will enhance administrative synergies, ensuring that both nations work closely in regional and global policy forums.
Security cooperation, particularly in the maritime domain, forms another crucial aspect of these agreements. The White Shipping Information Agreement will significantly bolster Mauritius’ ability to monitor maritime traffic, prevent illegal fishing, and counter transnational threats such as smuggling and piracy. Given Mauritius’ strategic location along critical global shipping routes, this agreement strengthens India’s maritime security architecture in the southwestern Indian Ocean, aligning with the Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) vision. Beyond security, the MoU on Ocean Research and Maritime Zone Management reflects a joint commitment to climate resilience and sustainable ocean governance. Like other island nations, Mauritius faces rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and marine resource depletion. By leveraging India’s expertise in ocean observation, remote sensing, and maritime data management, this agreement enhances Mauritius’ capacity for environmental sustainability while reinforcing India’s leadership in marine research within the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Regulatory cooperation also saw a significant boost, particularly in countering financial crimes. The anti-money laundering and financial intelligence-sharing agreement is a timely intervention given Mauritius’ position as a major financial services hub. By enabling enhanced cooperation on financial intelligence and enforcement against illicit financial flows, the agreement strengthens Mauritius’ global reputation for financial transparency. This collaboration is particularly relevant amid growing international scrutiny on offshore financial centres, ensuring that Mauritius upholds the highest standards of financial compliance and regulatory oversight. From India’s perspective, this also safeguards its economic interests, ensuring that Indian businesses operating in Mauritius remain aligned with evolving international norms.
The agreements signed during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Mauritius embody a comprehensive and future-oriented partnership, seamlessly integrating economic, diplomatic, security, and financial cooperation. While the economic agreements deepen trade, investment, and infrastructure development, the diplomatic, maritime, and regulatory collaborations solidify India’s enduring commitment to Mauritius’ long-term progress. At a time when the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) is becoming a focal point of global strategic engagement, India’s approach stands out for its inclusivity, sustainability, and capacity-building focus. Unlike short-term, transactional engagements, India’s model fosters resilient and self-reliant partnerships, ensuring that Mauritius and other island nations benefit from equitable growth, technological exchange, and governance excellence. More than just reinforcing bilateral ties, these agreements cement India’s leadership in shaping a stable, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific, where regional collaboration and shared prosperity drive the future.
Agreements Signed During PM Modi’s Visit to Mauritius
1. Agreement between the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Bank of Mauritius – Establishing a framework for promoting the use of local currencies (INR/MUR) for cross-border transactions, facilitating direct exchange rate quotation, and extending INR clearing to COMESA countries.
2. Credit Facility Agreement between the Government of Mauritius and the State Bank of India (SBI) – A Line of Credit worth INR 487.6 crore for the Water Pipeline Replacement Project in Mauritius.
3. MoU on Cooperation in Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) – Between the Ministry of Industry, SME and Cooperatives (Mauritius) and the Ministry of MSMEs (India), focussing on capacity building, exchange of experts, trade exhibitions, and feasibility studies for SME development.
4. MoU between the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service (SSIFS) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mauritius – Aimed at training Mauritian diplomats and facilitating diplomatic exchanges.
5. MoU between the National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG) and the Ministry of Public Service and Administrative Reforms of Mauritius – Providing training for 500 Mauritian civil servants over five years at NCGG, covering leadership, governance, and technical expertise.
6. Technical Agreement on White Shipping Information Sharing – Between the Indian Navy and the Mauritius Police Force to enhance maritime domain awareness, trade safety, and security cooperation.
7. MoU between the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) and the Prime Minister’s Office of Mauritius – Establishing collaboration on ocean research, observation, maritime zone management, and disaster resilience.
8. MoU between the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) and the Financial Crimes Commission (FCC) of Mauritius – Strengthening intelligence sharing and cooperation on anti-corruption and anti-money laundering efforts.
(The author is correspondent of an international multimedia platform. Feedback can be sent to feedback.employmentnews@gmail.com).
Views expressed are personal.