International RelationsImportant2025-03-11

PM Modi's State Visit to Mauritius

In News

What Happened

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Mauritius on March 11-12, 2025, as the Chief Guest for the nation's 57th National Day celebrations. During the visit, bilateral ties were elevated to an 'Enhanced Strategic Partnership'. PM Modi was also conferred with Mauritius's highest civilian honour, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean, becoming the first Indian to receive it.

Why It Matters

This visit reinforces India's strategic presence in the Indian Ocean Region and its leadership role in the Global South. It also marks the evolution of India's maritime strategy from the SAGAR initiative to the broader 'MAHASAGAR' vision, aiming to counter emerging maritime challenges and ensure regional security.

Background

History & Context

India and Mauritius share deep historical and cultural ties, with nearly 70 percent of the Mauritian population being of Indian origin. In 2015, during a previous visit to Mauritius, PM Modi launched the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) maritime initiative. Strategic trust was further cemented in October 2024 when India supported Mauritius in successfully claiming sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago from the UK.

What Changed

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Strategic Relationship Status: BEFORE: India and Mauritius maintained a privileged strategic partnership anchored by the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA). NOW: The bilateral relationship has been officially elevated to an 'Enhanced Strategic Partnership'.
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Maritime Vision: BEFORE: India's primary Indian Ocean framework was the SAGAR vision, focused on regional security and growth. NOW: PM Modi introduced the 'MAHASAGAR' vision (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) to connect different regions more comprehensively.
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Diaspora Connectivity: BEFORE: Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card eligibility was restricted for descendants of early Indian immigrants. NOW: PM Modi announced a special extension of OCI card eligibility to the seventh generation of the Indian diaspora in Mauritius.

Prelims Angle

NCERT Connection

This event connects to Class 12 Political Science Chapter 4, 'India's External Relations', which details the evolution of India's foreign policy. The introduction of the MAHASAGAR vision and the elevation of ties with Mauritius illustrate India's modern application of strategic autonomy, positioning itself as a net security provider and a leading voice for the Global South.

Practice Questions

Q1

With Reference To

With reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 2025 State Visit to Mauritius, consider the following statements: 1. PM Modi became the first Indian to receive the Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean. 2. During the visit, the bilateral relationship was elevated to an 'Enhanced Strategic Partnership'. 3. The newly announced MAHASAGAR vision is a strictly military alliance designed to counter foreign influence in the Indian Ocean. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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