Mauritius could hand over 2 islands to India

[JamesBond]

^^ LoL, I don't know what agriculture they will they indulge in in such a tiny territory.

 

[sageof6path]

listning post obviously

 

[sancho]

Its a conflict of influence. There isnt going to be a hot war anytime soon.

The Vietnam thing was a great one by GoI though. Simply fantastic!

I agree, the closer ties to Vietnam are much more important in strategic terms than those Islands far away from China. I hope we could get more closer ties to Thailand and Indonesia too, both emerging countries too and it would give us more infuence in that region.

 

[Peshwa]

If investment and development is the sole aim then China can offer a better deal however looks like Maritius is giving in to Indian pressure. Nothing different than typical Indian drama of indirect annexation.

What "better" deal? Are you just simply towing China's line for the sake of it?

Please point out instances where China has offered a more lucrative or a deal at all for these islands....

 

[grosbalou]

ok guys, sorry to disappoint, but it's not gonna happen. No one in mauritius was even aware of all this until it was printed in some indian newspaper. Local media picked it up just today, and it caused an outrage. I was actually googling for info when I came across this forum.

There is absolutely no way the mauritian public will agree to hand over agalega to anyone, especially if it's for tourism or agricultural development. Military base?? there will be riots!

The government has not released any statement about it yet, but believe me, there is going to be some serious explaining to do.

We did that mistake with Diego Garcia already, and even after 40 years, we are yet to recover from the scars it left. Both the govenment and various bodies are still fighting for it in british and european courts for it.

Even talking about leasing or giving away agalega is the biggest faux pas any politician can possible make.

Edit: Mauritian foreign minister has just denied any talks have taken place.

 

[Imran Khan]

yaar aik bat batao zameen se dil nhi bharta india ka? itna bara mulk hai per hamsay preshan hai is se.

 

[grosbalou]

since am here... let me clear the issue about india and china in mauritius.

India has been a economic partner, ally and friend to mauritius since the beginning. They helped us develop, built our infrastructures, trained and supported us where and when we needed.

about 70% of mauritians originate from india. And even thought we don't actually consider india as a 'motherland', there is some kind of bond.

Today we route billions of dollars in FDI towards them.

China is the new kid in town. Invested a lot of money in recent years, and using mauritius mainly as a base to expand in africa. We have most stable government and demographic system in africa, strong economy, proper infrastructure, highly educated workforce, plus a very very high calibre chinese chamber of commerce which deals with them directly.

They use us as a stable base, we get their money, and in some ways, take on the african markets through them. (we tried and failed many times before).

To either of them, we are too valuable to put us in any tight situation. We can bend over on certain diplomatic stuff, but there is no way either will be stupid enough to pressurise us to take sides. Too much money involved... China has the money, but india is an old mate..it can go either way.

Anyway, it's clear both of them are here for business..and pleasure..

We are not a neutral country, but we don't take sides as well(militarily). We have no problem telling either to get loss, we've done that already with the us, stood against the war in Iraq.. they cut all our trade routes, nearly ruined us, but we stood our ground. And bare in mind we don't even have anything to do with iraq.

Both china and india knows that. They need us more than we need them.

 

[ISRO Go!]

since am here... let me clear the issue about india and china in mauritius.

India has been a economic partner, ally and friend to mauritius since the beginning. They helped us develop, built our infrastructures, trained and supported us where and when we needed.

about 70% of mauritians originate from india. And even thought we don't actually consider india as a 'motherland', there is some kind of bond.

Today we route billions of dollars in FDI towards them.

China is the new kid in town. Invested a lot of money in recent years, and using mauritius mainly as a base to expand in africa. We have most stable government and demographic system in africa, strong economy, proper infrastructure, highly educated workforce, plus a very very high calibre chinese chamber of commerce which deals with them directly.

They use us as a stable base, we get their money, and in some ways, take on the african markets through them. (we tried and failed many times before).

To either of them, we are too valuable to put us in any tight situation. We can bend over on certain diplomatic stuff, but there is no way either will be stupid enough to pressurise us to take sides. Too much money involved... China has the money, but india is an old mate..it can go either way.

Anyway, it's clear both of them are here for business..and pleasure..

We are not a neutral country, but we don't take sides as well(militarily). We have no problem telling either to get loss, we've done that already with the us, stood against the war in Iraq.. they cut all our trade routes, nearly ruined us, but we stood our ground. And bare in mind we don't even have anything to do with iraq.

Both china and india knows that. They need us more than we need them.

who knows future,those two islands would be converted into indian military,naval,airforce base...
there would be something secret deals b/w india and mau
who knows....

 

[kingdurgaking]

Two words - military base.

As i say always.. Pakistan will think only defence in all sense... no development POV....

 

[kingdurgaking]

The article did say for "other strategic purposes".

Does strategy alway be only have military POV?? cant it not be on diplomacy? or trade hub?

 

[grosbalou]

who knows future,those two islands would be converted into indian military,naval,airforce base...
there would be something secret deals b/w india and mau
who knows....

Only possible scenario is letting India set up tent to tackle the problem with somalian pirates in the region. India did promise to help, both for it's own fleet, and to support us. The EU is getting involved as well, and agalega may possibly be used as a shared base.

I cannot confirm this, but I don't see anyone having any problems with it. Well as long as they want to coorperate and not just take over.

If that happens, as long as India is playing by the rules, there's no problem, even if it does a few side business along the way. We have learned to ignore whatever doesn't concern us..But it will be a bit crowded out there in the coming months with various navies fighting the somalian pirates.

Mauritius already has a coast guard base there, but not enough boats to patrol.

Agalega does have a small population, there is no way they are going to be moved, so full military platform is out of the question.

And giving control is unimaginable. Mauritius is an island of just over 700 sq mile, not enough space to grow our own food and already fighting to reclaim 2 islands(diego garcia from england/usa and tromlin from the french), can't just don't give away any more islands.

 

[grosbalou]

btw, a south african company,Arcon, has already filed an application a luxury village resort, including a private clinic on of the atolls.

The application is being followed since at least last year, and the project is worth Rs8.1 billion(mauritian rupees). Unlikely the project will go ahead though. If we wanted hotels there, we'd do it ourselves. or at least get the french to do it..

 

[Kinetic]

There are important islands spread over Indian ocean, Bay of Bengal and Arabian sea. India has A&N at the gateway of strait of Malacca and deep security cooperation with Singapore and Vietnam. We have also good military cooperation with some other SEA countries like Indonesia and Malaysia.

In Indian Ocean its Maldives, Guam, Mauritius, Diego Garcia, Seychelles, Madagascar and at far most South Africa. Now India has control over Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles and may be Madagascar. We have good security cooperation with South Africa as well. Guam is controlled by US and has a huge military base in DG.

In Arabian sea, India has Laccadives islands and good cooperation with Iran, Yemen and some other Arab countries. While China has control over Pakistan through Gwadar, which may have a pipeline through Tibet to eastern China.

So India is going well. Though replies for China's efforts in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Myanmar are on the making it will take time. But we should retain control over the island nations of Indian Ocean.

 

[KS]

In Indian Ocean its Maldives, Guam, Mauritius, Diego Garcia, Seychelles, Madagascar and at far most South Africa. Now India has control over Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles and may be Madagascar. We have good security cooperation with South Africa as well. Guam is controlled by US and has a huge military base in DG.

A more suitable term would be "we influence" rather than "we control".

Other than that good move by India.

 

[Kinetic]

A more suitable term would be "we influence" rather than "we control".

Other than that good move by India.

Partially agree with you but i think 'control' is the word more suitable in some relations. Its not some thing degrading or anything else but good friendship and faith in each other. 'Influence' we can use for BD, Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka where we can ask them to do things for us. 'Control' means actually we are doing the work on behalf of them.