Historical Evolution
India and Mauritius share one of India's closest and most enduring bilateral relationships, rooted in deep historical, cultural and people-to-people ties. First Indian indentured labourers arrived in 1834; diplomatic relations were established in 1948; Mauritius attained independence in 1968. Nearly 70% of the Mauritian population is of Indian origin, making the diaspora a defining pillar of bilateral relations.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1834 | First Indian indentured labourers arrived |
| 1948 | Diplomatic relations established |
| 1968 | Mauritius attained independence |
| 2021 | CECPA signed and entered into force |
| 2025, March | Enhanced Strategic Partnership elevated |
| 2026, June 28 | Modi-Ramgoolam meeting in Seychelles |
Source: High Commission of India, Mauritius, 2025
Trade & Investment
Economic and commercial cooperation is a key pillar. India is among Mauritius' largest trading partners, supplying petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, food products, engineering goods and machinery. Bilateral trade in FY 2024-25 was approximately USD 887.25 million. Mauritius has historically been one of the largest sources of FDI into India due to its well-developed financial sector.
The Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA), signed February 2021 and effective 1 April 2021, is India's first trade agreement with an African country, providing preferential market access and promoting investment, financial cooperation and movement of professionals.
Source: High Commission of India, Mauritius, 2025
Infrastructure & Development Partnership
India's infrastructure projects in Mauritius include Metro Express, New Supreme Court Building, ENT Hospital, Social Housing Project, Civil Service College and numerous High Impact Community Development Projects. Recent cooperation has expanded into digital public infrastructure, fintech, renewable energy, healthcare, climate resilience and sustainable maritime development.
| Policy Framework | Mauritius Role |
|---|---|
| Neighbourhood First Policy | Central partner |
| Vision MAHASAGAR | Key Western Indian Ocean partner |
| Joint Vision (March 2025) | Enhanced Strategic Partnership framework |
Source: MEA, 2026
Modi-Ramgoolam Meeting — 28 June 2026
On the sidelines of Seychelles' Golden Jubilee celebrations, PM Modi and PM Navinchandra Ramgoolam reviewed the Enhanced Strategic Partnership, expressing satisfaction with steady progress across political, economic and strategic sectors.
| Area | Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Strategic Partnership | Reviewed bilateral relationship; reaffirmed high-level engagement |
| Development | Reviewed Indian-assisted projects and Special Economic Package |
| Maritime Security | Reaffirmed cooperation on domain awareness, defence and capacity building |
| Economic Cooperation | Explored blue economy, renewable energy and digital public infrastructure |
| Capacity Building | Education, skill development, scholarships and technical assistance |
| Regional Cooperation | Promoting peace, security and prosperity across the Indian Ocean |
No new agreements were concluded — demonstrating continuity in implementing existing commitments and reflecting the maturity of the partnership.
Source: MEA, 2026
WSC Opportunity Lens
| # | Opportunity |
|---|---|
| 1 | Policy dialogues on maritime governance, blue economy and regional connectivity |
| 2 | Joint research on sustainable maritime development, climate resilience and digital governance |
| 3 | Business assistance for Indian firms in financial services, healthcare, renewable energy and infrastructure |
Conclusion
The bilateral meeting reaffirmed the strength, continuity and strategic importance of the India-Mauritius Enhanced Strategic Partnership. Mauritius remains India's closest strategic partner in the Western Indian Ocean, reinforcing India's role as a preferred security and development partner for Small Island Developing States.
References
- Ministry of External Affairs (2026, June 28) - PM meets PM of Mauritius
- DD India (2026, June 28) - PM Modi meets Mauritian counterpart Ramgoolam
- High Commission of India, Port Louis (2025) - Bilateral brief
- Ministry of External Affairs (2025, March 12) - Joint Vision for Enhanced Strategic Partnership
- High Commission of India, Port Louis (2021) - CECPA
- News On AIR (2026, June 28) - PM Modi meets Mauritius PM in Seychelles