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Indian Ocean to become India’s ocean: report

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

Web Desk March 12, 2015

india 039 s prime minister narendra modi photo reuters

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PHOTO: REUTERS

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''.

Modi to ramp up help for Indian Ocean nations to counter China influence

''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.

COMMENTS (7)

Afzal | 8 years ago | Reply @zara: @Kumar: And the bullying mentality, including that of their leadership, seems directly proportional to their age old inferiority complexes which require them to live under a cloud of pseudo-euphoria to over-estimate their achievements at a stinking high level. I do not know how exactly they have started to look at Indian ocean following daddy Obama's last visit to India but they certainly have begun rehearse on how to confront Chinese (using their feet as opposed to knees) and it would be interesting to see what complications they could land with following their US backed potential PUNGAs in the South China Sea. With Chinese submarines planned to be relocated every now and then in the Indian Ocean ( Oopse India's Ocean !!!) and a network of China-Pak routes connecting western China to deep sea port of Gwadar, soon to be under construction, the loop of greatly feared encirclement of India will soon be a reality. Thanks to Mr Modi for raising expectations ....but remember what happened to Vaj Pai slogan of "India Shining followed by a remarkable route by Congress.

Puskar | 9 years ago | Reply A great PM with vision and developmental agenda. I feel that we now have a true leader after a long time.