Admiral Krishna Swaminathan’s meeting with Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam on 12 August 2026 reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening maritime security cooperation, capacity building, and operational linkages with Mauritius under the MAHASAGAR vision.

The Indian Navy assured full support for enhancing the capabilities of the Mauritius Police Force and National Coast Guard.

Admiral Swaminathan, Chief of the Naval Staff, is on a four-day official visit to Mauritius from 10–13 August 2026. The visit is aimed at consolidating bilateral maritime cooperation and deepening defence ties with the strategically located Indian Ocean partner. His meeting with Prime Minister Ramgoolam was attended by Anurag Srivastava, High Commissioner of India to Mauritius.

The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation between the Indian Navy and the Mauritius National Coast Guard. Key areas included maritime security cooperation, training exchanges, information-sharing mechanisms, capacity building, and expanding operational linkages.

These measures are intended to enhance interoperability and ensure coordinated responses to maritime challenges in the Indian Ocean Region.

During the meeting, Admiral Swaminathan assured the Prime Minister of India’s continued support for the capability enhancement of the Mauritius Police Force and National Coast Guard. The Indian Navy emphasised its readiness to provide full assistance, cooperation, and collaboration in capacity-building endeavours.

Earlier, on 11 August, Admiral Swaminathan held wide-ranging interactions with senior Mauritian officials. These included Rampersad Sooroojebally, Commissioner of Police of the Mauritius Police Force, and Kan Oye Fong Weng-Poorun, Secretary for Home and Defence Affairs of the Government of Mauritius. Discussions centred on joint Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) surveillance, strengthening operational linkages, and expanding capacity-building initiatives.

India and Mauritius share an enduring maritime partnership anchored in mutual trust and a shared commitment to ensuring a secure and stable Indian Ocean Region. This partnership is framed under India’s MAHASAGAR vision — Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions — which seeks to promote collective security, growth, and cooperation across the Indian Ocean and wider region.

The Indian Navy’s engagement with Mauritius includes regular training exchanges, operational interactions, joint EEZ surveillance, port visits, and hydrographic surveys. Mauritius has also been a consistent participant in Indian Navy-led multilateral initiatives such as the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), MILAN, the International Fleet Review, Goa Maritime Conclave, IOS SAGAR, and Exercise AIKEYME. These engagements highlight the shared commitment of both nations to regional stability and cooperative security.

Admiral Swaminathan’s visit, his first to Mauritius since assuming charge as Chief of the Naval Staff, underscores the priority India accords to its relationship with Mauritius. It also reflects India’s broader strategy of strengthening maritime partnerships across the Indian Ocean Region, particularly through operational coordination and capacity building with regional countries.

India’s outreach to Mauritius is not limited to defence cooperation. It also includes strategic infrastructure and economic initiatives, such as the $1 billion container terminal project agreed upon in June 2026 to transform Port Louis into a premier transhipment hub.

This project complements defence cooperation by reinforcing Mauritius’ role as a key logistics and maritime partner in the Indian Ocean.

The meeting between Admiral Swaminathan and Prime Minister Ramgoolam therefore represents a reaffirmation of India–Mauritius defence ties and a broader strategic vision that integrates security, trade, and cooperative development. It highlights India’s intent to balance regional dynamics, counter external pressures, and reinforce its position as a stabilising force in the Indian Ocean Region.

ANI