Mapping
Source: IE
Context: The Prime Ministers of India and Mauritius have jointly inaugurated an airstrip and the St James Jetty on North Agaléga Island in the Indian Ocean.
The joint inauguration signifies:
For Mauritius:
- Economic benefits: Reduced travel time, job creation, and tapping into tourism potential.
- Strategic advantages: Enhanced maritime surveillance and security capabilities through Coast Guard deployment.
For India:
- Strengthening India-Mauritius relations: Enhanced goodwill and multi-dimensional cooperation.
- Geostrategic significance: Supports India’s SAGAR initiative, counters China’s “string of pearls” strategy (by India’s “Necklace of Diamond”), enhances Indian Ocean surveillance, and reinforces India’s role as a peace provider in the region.
About Agaléga
It is a atoll, comprising two islands, North and South Agalega. It is governed by Mauritius and used by India for various purposes. Despite this, it remains under the sovereignty of Mauritius. A 2015 memorandum of understanding on India–Mauritius military cooperation envisaged developing the Agaléga islands for an Indian military base.
Note: An atoll is a ring-shaped coral reef, island, or series of islets that encircle a lagoon, often found in warm, tropical waters.
