Editorial 1 : Look to the Sea
Context: MAHASAGAR: India’s big bet on maritime power and the Global South
Strategic Importance of Mauritius for India
- Location: Geographical Significance
- Located 2,000 km off East Africa in the western Indian Ocean.
- Acts as a critical maritime hub for India’s Indian Ocean Region (IOR) strategy.
- Economic and Demographic Ties
- Population: 1.2 million, primarily of Indian origin.
- Economic Profile: GDP of $14 billion and is projected to reach $29 billion by 2029. Per capita income of $11,600.
- Historical Bond: Close ties since Mauritius’ independence in 1968.
- Diplomatic and Strategic Relevance
- A prosperous democracy in the developing world.
- Serves as a bridge to the Global South for India.
Evolution from SAGAR to MAHASAGAR
- SAGAR (2015): Security and Growth for All in the Region
- Announced during Modi’s first visit to Mauritius in 2015.
- Focus: Maritime security, sustainable development, and regional cooperation in the IOR.
- MAHASAGAR (2024)
- Expanded Vision: Builds on SAGAR with a broader focus on capacity-building and Global South partnerships.
- Key Elements
- Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) initiatives.
- Combating illegal activities (e.g. piracy, illegal fishing).
- Strengthening niche partnerships with smaller island states.
India’s Assistance to Mauritius
- Crisis Response
- 2020 Oil Spill: India airlifted technical equipment and personnel as a first responder.
- COVID-19 Pandemic: Delivered vaccines and medicines via Indian naval ships.
- 2024 Cyclone Chido: Provided humanitarian aid and disaster relief.
- Long-Term Collaboration: Infrastructure development, healthcare, and environmental security.
Geopolitical Context in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)
- Competing Powers
- France: Presence in Réunion.
- USA: Military base in Diego Garcia.
- China: Expanding via BRI projects in Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Djibouti.
- Challenges from China
- Economic Leverage: China is accused of predatory lending (e.g. Sri Lanka’s debt crisis).
- Military Ambitions: Naval base in Djibouti and growing influence in IOR.
- India’s Contrasting Approach
- Viewed as a benign, reliable partner with long-term empathy.
- Focus on non-transactional partnerships and sustainable development.
Challenges in Implementation
- Policy Gaps
- Doctrinal Underpinning: Lack of a cohesive strategic framework.
- Institutional Weaknesses: Insufficient bench strength and inadequate monitoring.
- Harmonization with Quad: Need to align MAHASAGAR with Quad’s objectives (USA, Australia, Japan, India).
Way Forward: Recommendations
- Reality Check: Conduct an objective review of SAGAR’s outcomes to refine MAHASAGAR.
- Capacity Building: Invest in MDA technologies and regional training programs.
- Strengthen Institutions: Enhance maritime policy expertise and monitoring mechanisms.
Conclusion: MAHASAGAR reflects India’s ambition to lead in the IOR while addressing Global South priorities. Mauritius remains pivotal to India’s maritime strategy but requires sustained policy execution. India must balance partnerships with Quad and smaller states to counterbalance China’s influence.