In Mauritius, Modi calls for free, open and safe the Indian Ocean

In this image published by X / @ Meaisia ​​on March 12, 2025, Prime Minister Modi attends the celebrations of the National Day of Mauritius as the main guest of Champ de Mars, Mauritius. | Photo credit: x / @ meaindie

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday that a free, open, safe and safe Indian Ocean was a common priority for India and Mauritius.

Mr. Modi, who made a two -day state visit to the island nation, said this by delivering a speech alongside the Mauritian Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoalam.

He transferred India unambiguous support to Mauritius' sovereignty to the Chagos archipelago.

PM in Mauritius Day 2 Live updates: Our vision of the Global South will be Mahasagar: PM Modi

Over the next five years, five hundred Mauritius officials will be trained in India. We have concluded a mutual trade settlement agreement in local currency. The Prime Minister and I agree that the cooperation of defense and maritime security are key pillars of our strategic partnership. The free, open, secure and secure Indian Ocean is our common priority … In this regard, we will extend all possible assets to meet the needs of the Coast Guard, said Modi after the end of bilateral talks.

We fully respect Maurice's sovereignty regarding Chagos, he said.

Mr. Modi assured that India would extend any possible assistance in the creation of the Academy police and the National Maritime Information Share Center in Mauritius. He said India would advance Mauritius' position on the Chagos dispute through the Colombo Security Conclave, Indian Ocean Rim Association and the Indian Ocean Conference.

We are fully committed to ensuring the protection of the exclusive economic zone of Mauritius, he said.

The exclusive economic zone of Mauritius has taken on importance during negotiations of the United Kingdom-Maurities on the Chagos archipelago.

The two countries had reached an agreement on October 3, 2024, under which the United Kingdom would abandon sovereignty over Chagos but would maintain a lease on the joint military base of the United Kingdom on Diego Garcia, the largest island, for 99 years. The agreement was signed by the previous Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, but the current Prime Minister criticized it.

Before the start of Mr. Modis Visit, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vikram Misri, had reiterated the support of the Indias to the complaint Mauritius on the Chagos archipelago.

Affirmation of the cultural ties of the India-Mauritius, Mr. Modi said that Mauritius' travelers would receive assistance for the Dham Yatra tank (four-stains pilgrimage in India) and the Ramayana path. He announced that new development projects for a 500 million Mauritian Roupie would be launched as part of a bilateral partnership.

The two parties also sealed eight understanding memorandums, one of which will allow the settlement of commercial problems through local currencies.

Mr. Modi has already been conferred on the highest distinction in the country, the large commander of the Star Order and the key to the Indian Ocean.

After the meeting, Mr. Misri said that the objective of the national currencies agreement was to promote the use of local currencies on behalf of the current account as well as capital accounts, to encourage direct exchange quotes, to encourage the establishment of an Indian rupee compensation center in Mauritius and to prolong an Indian Roupie Compensation Center (Common Market for the East and South of Africa). The idea is to provide ways to improve trade, tourism, other types of commercial activities between the two countries.

Mr. Misri said that the Bank of India reserve and Mauritius' bank should implement the agreement and set up the systems and procedures of the last Mile to begin to benefit from the agreement.

The two teams have also signed seven other agreements, one of which is between the management of the law application and the Commission of financial crimes of the Republic of Mauritius.

Mr. Misri said that the agreement on the sharing of information on white shipping would lead to greater awareness of the maritime field of the authorities in Mauritius.

The agreement which was exchanged today on the sharing of information on the white expedition between the Indian navy and the government of Mauritius will essentially improve the maritime security of Mauritius. His security of his business will lead to real-time sharing of data, preventing illegal activities, he said in response to media questions.