On April 9 and 10, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will be visiting Mauritius to participate in the 9th Indian Ocean Conference, which will put Mauritius at the centre of the current regional strategic relationships being discussed by the Indian government as it relates to maritime diplomacy. At this time, Jaishankar will also be visiting with the leadership of Mauritius to conduct a comprehensive review of the bilateral relationship between both countries as well as provide a keynote presentation at the conference.
The conference, which is jointly organised by India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the India Foundation, and the Government of Mauritius, will help illustrate how the balance of power in the Indian Ocean is changing relative to commercial shipping routes, maritime security issues, and geopolitical competition among nations. It will also provide an opportunity for Jaishankar to meet with other countries that are sponsors of the conference, thereby adding another layer of regional diplomacy to his trip to Mauritius.
India’s diplomatic relationship with Mauritius has gained a greater level of significance as a result of Jaishankar’s trip to Mauritius; Mauritius is now viewed as a key partner in regard to the Indian Ocean dialogue. The visit signifies India’s continuing resolution to carry out the Vision MAHASAGAR (Neighbourhood First Policy) as well as India’s assurance to the Global South on a regional and global level, so there is plenty of opportunity to cooperate with each other in terms of enhancing their diplomatic relationship, while there will continue to be a dominant maritime element to their diplomatic relationship in the region.
S/S Rt Hon. Shankar Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of India, will be in the UAE on 11 and 12 April 2016; the Ajith Shankar Jaishankar official visit to Mauritius is considered to have more overall impact on these three nations (thereby making a bigger statement than the UAE) due to Mauritius’ location, size, and its overall importance to the broader security and stability of this region.
