India and Mauritius on Thursday formalised agreements to move ahead with projects under a $680 million economic assistance package announced by New Delhi. External Affairs Minister EAM S. Jaishankar, on his visit to Port Louis, held detailed discussions with Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam. The talks focused on expanding cooperation across key sectors and strengthening bilateral ties amid global uncertainty.

Both leaders informed the media that India and Mauritius are in the final stages of concluding a government-to-government agreement for the supply of oil and gas. This proposed deal aims to enhance Mauritius’ energy security. This comes at a time when disruptions due to ongoing conflict in West Asia have affected global supply chains and fuel availability.

During the visit, the two sides witnessed the finalisation of multiple agreements related to projects funded under the special economic package. This package had been announced during Ramgoolam’s visit to India in September last year. It includes budgetary support of $25 million along with several development projects. These projects will be executed through a combination of grants and concessional loans provided by India.

EAM Jaishankar stated that the assistance package highlights India’s continued commitment to supporting Mauritius in critical sectors. These include infrastructure development, healthcare, and security. He also announced that India will appoint a defence attaché in Mauritius, marking a step forward in defence cooperation and strategic engagement between the two nations.

As part of the collaboration, the leaders jointly inaugurated 11 India-supported community development projects. These projects span areas such as sustainable development, energy, sports, and infrastructure. In addition, they launched the “Karmayogi portal,” a digital platform aimed at training civil servants in Mauritius. This initiative is notable as it is the first time India has implemented such a governance-focused project in a partner country, to improve administrative efficiency and capacity building.

The visit also saw the signing of an MoU between India’s University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Higher Education Commission of Mauritius. This agreement is expected to boost academic cooperation, facilitate knowledge exchange, and create new opportunities for students and institutions in both countries. In another development, Mauritius handed over a royalty cheque worth $45,000 to India. This payment is linked to the sale of nautical charts that were developed through joint hydrographic cooperation between the two nations.

The discussions between Jaishankar and Ramgoolam covered a wide range of areas beyond economic assistance. These included maritime security, development partnerships, healthcare, education, mobility, and technology. The leaders also exchanged views on the situation in West Asia and its wider global impact, particularly on trade and energy.

Expressing his appreciation, Ramgoolam acknowledged India’s consistent support for Mauritius over the years. He said, “India has always stood by us, especially in trying moments of our history,” and added that the current assistance package is a “glimmer of hope in such a difficult moment”, when all countries are reeling under the impact of the war in West Asia.

The latest agreements reflect the strong and evolving partnership between India and Mauritius. They underline a shared focus on development, stability, and mutual growth. At a time when global challenges are affecting economies worldwide, the cooperation between the two countries signals a steady and practical approach to addressing both immediate and long-term needs.