Indian Ocean to become India’s ocean: report

Modi says agreement on development of infrastructure boosts partnership between India, Mauritius and Seychelles

NEW DEHLI: The Indian government has bagged “infrastructure development rights” for two islands in the Indian Ocean. The two islands include ‘Agalega’ from Mauritius and ‘Assumption’ from Seychelles, The Times of India reported.


The Indian government was able to attain these “infrastructure development rights” for the islands during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ocean outreach comprising visits to Mauritius, Seychelles and Sri Lanka.

To allow India to develop these islands is of huge strategic significance for India.

The Modi government has sought to address the issue by acknowledging the importance of the Indian Ocean for India's security and for maintaining peace and stability in the region. Official sources said that the development rights for the two islands had been discussed for months before these were successfully concluded during Modi's visit in a sign that ''Indian Ocean was going to be India's Ocean''.

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''Our agreement today on the development of infrastructure in the Assumption Island (Seychelles) gives a strong boost to this partnership,'' said Modi in a media statement.

Further, he added that the ocean economy was indispensable to meeting India's future challenges. Modi also launched a Coastal Surveillance Radar Project.

India signed an MoU with Mauritius for setting up and upgrading infrastructure for improving sea and air connectivity at Mauritius’s outer island.

Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said these facilities are also expected to enhance the capabilities of the Mauritian defence forces in safeguarding their interests on the island.

India signed another MoU with Mauritius which will provide an extensive framework for cooperation in the field of ocean economy. It provides for mutually beneficial cooperation for exploration and capacity development in the field of marine resources, fisheries, green tourism, research and development of ocean technology, exchange of experts and other related activities.