India and Mauritius sign pact on maritime security

India and Mauritius yesterday signed an agreement for maritime security as New Delhi extended a $500mn credit line to the Indian Ocean island nation following delegation level talks here headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Mauritian counterpart Pravind Jugnauth.“As frontline states of the Indian Ocean, Prime Minister Jugnauth and I agree that it is our responsibility to ensure collective maritime security around our coasts and in our EEZs (exclusive economic zones),” Modi said while jointly addressing a press conference with Jugnauth following the talks.“We agree that effective management of conventional and non-conventional threats in the Indian Ocean is essential to pursue economic opportunities, protect the livelihood of our communities and provide security to our people,” Modi said.He said both countries must be vigilant against piracy that impacted trade and tourism, drugs and human trafficking, illegal fishing and other forms of illegal exploitation of marine resources.“The conclusion of the bilateral Maritime Security Agreement today will strengthen our mutual co-operation and capacities,” the prime minister said.“We have also agreed to further strengthen our wide-ranging co-operation in hydrography for a secure and peaceful maritime domain.”Modi also said that India would support the National Coast Guard (NCG) of Mauritius in augmenting its capacity through Project Trident, an integrated development project of the NCG.“We have also taken a decision to renew the life of the Coast Guard Ship Guardian, that was provided to Mauritius, under a grant assistance programme.” The Indian leader said the agreement on the $500mn credit to Mauritius was “a good example of our strong and continuing commitment towards the development of Mauritius”.“It will also help in the implementation of priority projects,” he said. “Prime Minister Jugnauth and I welcome the progress in ongoing projects.”