Inauguration of Indian Military Base in Mauritius

• 3 km long runway

• Chinese warships will be monitored

New Delhi – Necessary infrastructure for an Indian Army base has been set up on the remote North Agalega Island of Mauritius, which is 3,729 km from Mumbai. Earlier this week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth of Mauritius jointly inaugurated an airstrip and a jetty that India has built on Agalega, a set of two islands in the western Indian Ocean, along with some other community development initiatives. They inaugurated a total of six projects here. The base will allow India and Mauritius to jointly monitor Chinese warships and submarines in the Indian Ocean.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth of Mauritius

1. The upgraded airstrip on Agalega Island, a strategic outpost in the Indian Ocean, will allow the Indian Navy to operate its P8I maritime reconnaissance aircraft, significantly improving India’s maritime domain awareness in this critical region where China is seeking to expand its footprint. About 50 officers from the Indian Defence Forces are on deputation to the country. Agalega Island is 12 km long and 1.5 km wide. About 300 people live here.

Mauritius is a valued friend of India. Projects being inaugurated today will further bolster the partnership between our countries.https://t.co/YWwc43oBGs

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 29, 2024

2. Currently, the Indian Navy’s warships, which are deployed to defend the Indian Ocean, have to go to the British-American military base Diego Garcia to get fuel. The base at Agalega will save time for the Indian Navy.

3. Samuel Bashfield, an Expert at the Australian National University, said Agalega is in an important location. Hence, Chinese cargo ships, warships and submarines passing through here can be monitored.

4. China has invested money in Gwadar Port in Pakistan, Hambantota Port in Sri Lanka, as well as port projects in some countries in Africa. It is trying to encircle India. In response to this, Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) is India’s policy or doctrine of maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean region. The policy was first announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March 2015.