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On March 14, 2015, the Indian Prime Minister (PM) finished his trip to three strategically vital nations: Seychelles, Mauritius, and Sri Lanka, in order to strengthen economic and strategic connections with the countries of the Indian Ocean. The Maldives also was originally on the PM’s travel schedule. However, it was later cancelled owing to the country’s ongoing political crisis. The earliest reference to the name of the ocean was found in the Latin words Oceanus Orientalis Indicus (“Indian Eastern Ocean”) in 1515. Thus it appears that the name, Indian Ocean, is attributed to India.
Seychelles
Seychelles is an island republic off the coast of Africa with a population of 90,000 people, 10% of whom are of Indian descent. In 2013, bilateral trade between India and Seychelles was roughly USD 70.50 million, much short of the potential. Airtel and Bank of Baroda are two notable Indian firms in Seychelles that have been operating profitably since 1998 and 1978, respectively. India also trains Seychelles’ security forces.
When Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s plane landed in Victoria on March 10, 2015, he became the first Prime Minister to visit Seychelles since 1983. India praised Seychelles’ sustained support for India in different international forums. Apart from that, India stated that inhabitants of Seychelles would be granted free visas for three months and an extension of the visa-on-arrival option. The Indian Prime Minister also announced the delivery of a second Dornier aircraft to Seychelles and the commencement of the Coastal Surveillance Radar Project, calling it a symbol of collaboration between the two nations.
Seychelles decided to lease Assumption Island to India for tourism purposes. India has also assisted Seychelles’ military forces in strengthening their capabilities. As a result, the Indian Prime Minister’s visit should not be interpreted as a shift in policy but rather as a strengthening of existing ties.
Mauritius
Mauritius’ strategic position in the Indian Ocean, as well as its role as one of India’s greatest sources of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), has made it more than simply a cultural partner, but also a strategic and economic partner.
On March 11 and 12, 2015, the Prime Minister visited Mauritius as part of his Indian Ocean tour. Leaders from both nations signed agreements in the fields of ocean economics, cultural collaboration, agriculture, enhancement of sea and air transportation infrastructure on Mauritius’ Agalega island, and cooperation in traditional medicine and homoeopathy.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the Improvement of Sea and Air Transportation Facilities on Mauritius’ Agalega Island would strengthen the Mauritian Defence Forces’ ability to protect their interests on the Outer Island.
In addition, India has agreed to forgo the visa charge for people visiting from Mauritius to India under the new online Visa on Arrival system.
Sri Lanka
Despite being India’s closest geographical neighbour in the Indian Ocean, no Indian Prime Minister had visited Sri Lanka since Rajeev Gandhi’s visit in 1987, when he was assaulted by a Sri Lankan soldier. Apart from this, other problems that have strained relations between India and Sri Lanka include China’s participation in Srilanka’s economy, the Tamil issue, the fishermen issue, the Sethusamudram Canal etc.
However, the geographical proximity requires that ties between the two countries remain strong to ensure peace in the region.
Narendra Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister and the second foreign leader to visit Tamil regions after the British Prime Minister David Cameron visited Jaffna, the country’s war-torn Northern Province.
India also announced a new USD 318 million line of credit for the railway industry. It was also decided that a gathering of the fishermen’s organisations of India and Sri Lanka would be arranged at the earliest to reach a mutually acceptable agreement.
The Memorandum of Understanding inked on youth collaboration is a significant long-term investment in Indo-Sri Lankan ties. The Joint Task Force on Ocean Economy would be established as soon as possible due to India and Sri Lanka’s geographical closeness.
Conclusion
The Prime Minister’s journey should not be viewed just as a means of combating China’s influence in the area but also as an acknowledgement of the rising importance of (1) Indian maritime security and (2) the safeguarding of critical sea lanes for our national interests. While the visits to Seychelles and Mauritius were focused on strategic objectives in the Indian Ocean, the visit to Sri Lanka was primarily intended to strengthen ties with our island neighbour.
Furthermore, in order to maintain its status as a regional force, India must maintain relations with the states of the Indian Ocean. The 2015 tour was a positive start in that direction.
