Navy Chief Meets Mauritius PM to Deepen Maritime Security Ties

Indian Navy Chief Admiral Krishna Swaminathan meets Mauritius PM Navinchandra Ramgoolam to strengthen maritime security cooperation, focusing on training, information sharing, capacity building, EEZ surveillance and operational linkages.

Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, who is the chief of the Indian Navy, visits the island nation of Mauritius for an official four-day trip, which lasts from August 10 to 13. Discussions during his meeting with the Mauritian Prime Minister, Mr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam, revolve around enhancing cooperation in maritime security and building stronger ties in defence matters.

In the meeting, discussions are held on methods to improve collaboration between the Indian Navy and the Mauritian National Coast Guard in areas such as training exchanges, information exchange channels, capacity development, and operations linkage. Admiral Swaminathan informs the Prime Minister of Mauritius of the continued commitment by the Indian Navy in helping to develop the capability of the Mauritius Police Force and National Coast Guard.

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The exercise serves to underscore the increasing significance of security cooperation in the field of maritime security between India and Mauritius. The two nations have worked in close coordination in the region of the Indian Ocean, where surveillance at sea, coastal security, and good information sharing have become very significant.

In his visit to the country, Admiral Swaminathan also met with Rampersad Sooroojebally, the Commissioner of the Mauritius Police Force, and Kan Oye Fong Weng-Poorun, the Secretary for Home and Defence Affairs in the Mauritian government. The meetings will centre on improving maritime security cooperation, building capacity in the Mauritius National Coast Guard, and carrying out joint surveillance of the Exclusive Economic Zone of Mauritius.

India and Mauritius share a robust maritime relationship built on consistent interaction and trust. Maritime cooperation between the Indian Navy and the Mauritius National Coast Guard takes the form of training exercises, EEZ surveillance, port visits, and hydrographic surveys. Such operations help in establishing maritime domain awareness and enhance operational capacities.

Moreover, Mauritius is also an active participant in various significant Indian Navy programs such as MILAN multilateral naval exercise, International Fleet Review, and Goa Maritime Conclave. Through such interactions, navies get an opportunity to share operational experiences and address common maritime security issues.

The visit is further an embodiment of the broader vision of MAHASAGAR, which translates to Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth across Regions. The vision captures the Indian perspective with regard to fostering maritime cooperation and development partnership with countries in the Global South and Indian Ocean Region.

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The strategic significance of Mauritius to India's oceanic reach comes from the location of the country in the Indian Ocean region and its involvement in maintaining maritime security in the region. Increased collaboration in areas such as surveillance, training, information sharing and capacity building will help both countries overcome common challenges.

Conversations by Admiral Swaminathan and PM Ramgoolam thus indicate the strength of the defence ties between India and Mauritius. By increasing operational cooperation and the capability of Mauritius' maritime security institutions, both countries hope to play their part in making the Indian Ocean a safer place.