Garima Sharma, Pune
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth launched the Agalega airstrip and a jetty today. This step is significant as it expands the maritime footprint further into the Indian Ocean.
It is a 3 km long airstrip and can manage to land a Boeing P-8I multimission aircraft. It can also handle medium-lift IL-76, heavy-lift C-17 and C-130 Hercules. The jetty can be used to lift a destroyer or a frigate of the Indian Navy. Both countries have come to a common ground to increase the manpower on Agalega Island, even though 50 personnel of the Indian Navy are already present there.
Six community development projects – a library, a shopping centre, an administrative block, a fish storage facility, two shelters for boat crews, and a community hall – were inaugurated by Modi and Jugnauth with India’s financial assistance in the Agalega Islands. These projects will mainly focus on boosting the connectivity between Mauritius and Agalega. It will also improve maritime security and surveillance in the strategic waters of the region. This collaborative decision will also strengthen the blue economy of Mauritius.
Under India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, Mauritius is usually described as an important partner, as both countries have reached new heights with mutual cooperation.
This project promotes sustainable development, as mentioned by PM Modi, who said that India and Mauritius are “natural partners” in the maritime domain. This joint inauguration also serves as a testament to the growing strategic partnership between India and Mauritius, reinforcing their shared interest in the Indian Ocean.
Both countries have been working together to build security and stability in the Indian Ocean. They are also helping each other monitor the joint patrol, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief.
To monitor the country’s EEZ of 2.3 million sq km, urgent attention is needed to address the infrastructural problems in Mauritius. Earlier, to upgrade this airstrip, several attempts turned unsuccessful, and it was in 2015 that India’s assistance was sought by Mauritius.
The airstrip has been extended from 1300 meters to 3000 meters so that it can accommodate larger aircraft. The jetty has been extended from 80 meters to 250 meters, and support facilities have been built on the island, which is entirely granted by India.