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The assistance was announced following extensive discussions in Varanasi between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Mauritian counterpart, Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam
Prime Minister of the Republic of Mauritius, Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam, meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (Image: X/@Ramgoolam_Dr)
In a strategic move to deepen its influence in the Indian Ocean region and counter China’s expanding footprint, India on Thursday agreed to provide an economic assistance package of $680 million to Mauritius. The comprehensive package, which will be extended in the form of grants and lines of credit, aims to strengthen bilateral ties across a range of key sectors, from healthcare to maritime security.
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The assistance was announced following extensive discussions in Varanasi between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Mauritian counterpart, Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam. The two leaders agreed to jointly undertake several flagship projects, which are designed to support Mauritius’s national development and strategic needs. The package includes the construction of a new Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam National Hospital, the establishment of a state-of-the-art AYUSH Centre of Excellence, a Veterinary School and Animal Hospital, and the provision of helicopters to boost the island nation’s maritime surveillance capabilities.
The maritime security component is particularly significant, as both nations have committed to joint hydrographic surveys and cooperation on the surveillance of Mauritius’s newly expanded Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the Chagos archipelago.
This major commitment comes amid a growing geopolitical rivalry in the Indian Ocean. China has been aggressively expanding its presence through infrastructure investments and port deals in nations across the region, including in Sri Lanka and Pakistan. In a direct counter-strategy, India has sought to solidify its role as the “first responder and a net security provider” in the region. The comprehensive package to Mauritius is a clear signal of this intent, strengthening the historical and cultural bonds between the two nations while also ensuring that India remains Mauritius’s preferred partner for development and security.
Prime Minister Modi underscored the profound nature of the relationship, stating that the package was “not an assistance” but an “investment in our shared future”. The commitment to projects that directly benefit the Mauritian people, alongside strategic cooperation on maritime security, reinforces India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy and its vision for a secure and prosperous Indian Ocean region.
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The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
September 12, 2025, 06:06 IST
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