India promises to provide Mauritius with $680 million in economic assistance
As New Delhi competes with China for more influence in the Indian Ocean island, India agreed Thursday to grant Mauritius some $680 million in economic support for projects related to infrastructure, healthcare, and marine security.
In addition, the funds and credit lines finance the establishment and monitoring of the Chagos archipelago’s marine protected area, which includes a U.S.-British air base on the island of Diego Garcia.
Under a 99-year lease, Britain kept control of the military facility even after giving Mauritius sovereignty over the Chagos Islands in May. In order to restrain China’s expanding power in the Indian Ocean, which has strong trading relations with Mauritius, India has long supported Mauritius’ claims to the islands.
At a quarter of a million square miles, the marine protected area—which prohibits commercial fishing—is one of the biggest in the world, greater than the state of California in the United States.
The announcement of the economic aid was made in a joint statement while Mauritian Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam was in India on an official visit.
Other development initiatives including a new hospital and port reconstruction and reorganization are covered by the funding, which also includes helicopters and $25 million in budgetary help for the current fiscal year.
