The global order is going through a discernible transition, as evidenced by the waning US hegemony and the ascent of China and other middle-power countries, leaving the world in flux. In this rapidly changing world order, the political and security landscape of the Western Indian Ocean Region (WIOR) has witnessed drastic transformation. Located off the coast of southeast Africa, WIOR is home to some of the world's busiest International Shipping Lines (ISL), transporting most international freight and container traffic. The WIOR is also abundant in natural resources. A 2017 World Wide Fund (WWF) report estimates that the region's natural resources are worth US$ 333.8 billion.
In the centre of WIOR lies the small, densely populated island nation of the Republic of Mauritius. Home to more than a million people, the country comprises a group of islands with a 1.9 million square km Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and an additional 396,000 square km marine area covered by a Joint Management Agreement (JMA) with the Seychelles. The Republic comprises two main islands, Mauritius and Rodrigues, along with other offshore islands such as Agalega and St. Brandon.
The WIOR is also abundant in natural resources. A 2017 World Wide Fund (WWF) report estimates that the region's natural resources are worth US$ 333.8 billion.
In the security dimension, Mauritius evokes an intriguing perspective—a small island state operating in a dynamic security environment between the two major continents of Asia and Africa. This study examines the critical security issues Mauritius is experiencing. It will contend that the leading cause of these security issues is the growing rivalry between great powers within its borders. It elaborates on possibilities for establishing the agenda for collaboration and offers a comprehensive assessment of Mauritius's position within the WIOR security milieu.
Figure: Location of Mauritius Island
Mauritius is strategically significant because of its proximity to critical ISLs. Consequently, major power interests are growing in the region, with rivalries between the US and China and India and China becoming more prominent. Security concerns, geoeconomic interests, and capacity-building primarily drive these rivalries. According to an Interpol report, international crimes such as piracy, money laundering, drug trafficking, and human trafficking also grew more intense in recent times.
The sovereignty dispute over Chagos and the question of Agaléga further complicate this equation. In its bid to navigate a way out of these murky waters, Mauritius has held two editions of the Ministerial Conference on Maritime Security, emphasising the security of the Southwest Indian Ocean.
Indeed, Mauritius's capacity to assume a more assertive role may be restricted to its involvement in international institutions as a small island state. Yet, it has implemented some specific proactive measures to improve the security situation in WIOR. Mauritius acknowledges the value of peace, stability, and prosperity of WIOR towards an open, free, and inclusive Indo-Pacific. To maximise freight and reduce expenses in the region, Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth advocated for a collective regional maritime shipping line.
Oil spill control, maritime disaster response, and adaptation to and mitigation of climate change are all pressing concerns for Mauritius and other tiny island nations in the region.
Mauritius frequently participates in diverse discussion platforms to foster effective communication and productive collaboration. These discussions cover topics such as the discovery and exploitation of underwater resources, maritime patrol and surveillance, satellite remote sensing, reef conservation and marine biodiversity, marine pollution, freedom of navigation and anti-piracy, Coast Guard capacity-building, and other matters of shared interest. Oil spill control, maritime disaster response, and adaptation to and mitigation of climate change are all pressing concerns for Mauritius and other tiny island nations in the region.
The region has become a theatre of powerplay as numerous countries project their power there. South Africa is the powerhouse of the WIO region. It has long been considered a security supplier to most WIO countries and a net security provider in the southwest Indian Ocean. With its colonial past and continued ongoing ties in the region, France has historically been the dominant nation among all the island nations. The Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), a regional bloc of five island nations in the area, was established by France in 1982.
Despite its geographic distance, India has long regarded the West Indian Ocean region as a maritime neighbour. India was recently granted observer status within the IOC. In the WIO region, India is joining France and other European partners to prevent terrorism, especially in the Mozambican channel. India is set to play an even bigger role as it completed a new jetty and airstrip at Agalega Island.
Meanwhile, Chinese interest in the Indian Ocean is steadily increasing. Chinese warships have been policing the Indian Ocean since 2008, and by 2017, China already had a fully operational military base in Djibouti, hosting 400 marines. It is also allegedly planning multiple other bases including in Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Seychelles, and Comoros. China is also present in Mauritius because of private investments made by telecom giant Huawei. Recently Huawei constructed a 700 km underwater cable for high-speed internet connecting Rodrigues, the second-largest island in Mauritius, known as Mauritius and Rodrigues Submarine Cable System (MARS). Additionally, Beijing gave the Mauritius telecom company a US$350 million loan for the Mauritius Safe City project (MSCP).
It will be interesting to see how Mauritius plays these multiple external actors with their vested interest in fulfilling its own objectives and preventing any major conflict between these global powers.
The US is also increasing its presence to fend off growing Chinese penetration and preserve its influence in the region. Due largely to its security concerns, Australia has taken an active role in the WIO. However, as the country shifts its focus to regions closer to home, such as the Pacific, the Australian Navy's influence is progressively dwindling in WIOR. However, given their changing interests, Australia may later decide to reevaluate its commitments in the region. Going forward, it will be interesting to see how Mauritius plays these multiple external actors with their vested interest in fulfilling its own objectives and preventing any major conflict between these global powers.
While assessing the security and development challenges of African Small Island States, the outstanding battle to influence Mauritius and its surrounding region must be considered. The archipelago's advantageous geostrategic location, political stability, and sound governance are contributing to its attractiveness. Since gaining independence, the nation has excelled at preserving internal peace and stability. No wonder international financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) or World Bank are keen to invest in Mauritius.
In the WIOR, Mauritius is taking the lead as a significant player in Indian Ocean geopolitics. The Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) have headquarters in Mauritius. Despite being a tiny island nation, Mauritius aims to bring together the diverse perspectives of the WIOR's littoral and non-littoral governments. It hopes to influence the Indo-Pacific conversation positively by participating in these international organisations. As major international parties look for new methods to engage with Mauritius and influence its political leadership, there may be some fascinating developments in Mauritius diplomacy in the upcoming year.
Samir Bhattacharya is an Associate Fellow at the Observer Research Foundation
The views expressed above belong to the author(s). ORF research and analyses now available on Telegram! Click here to access our curated content — blogs, longforms and interviews.
Samir Bhattacharya is an Associate Fellow at ORF where he works on geopolitics with particular reference to Africa in the changing global order. He has a ...
Read More +
PREV
