By Enyichukwu Enemanna
India has agreed to commit the sum of $680 million into the economy of Mauritius, aiming to bolster healthcare, infrastructure and maritime security projects in the Indian Ocean country, stamping its influence over China.
The economic assistance was announced in a joint statement during the state visit of Mauritian Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam to India.
The assistance which is coming in form of grants and lines of credit, will also support the development and surveillance of the marine protected area of the Chagos archipelago, which houses a U.S.-British air base on the island of Diego Garcia.
Britain in May ceded sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, but retained control of the military base under a 99-year lease.
India has historically backed Mauritius’ claims over the islands and has supported the U.S. presence in the Indian Ocean to check the growing influence of China, which has close trade ties with Mauritius.
The marine protected area, where commercial fishing is banned, is one of the world’s largest, covering a quarter of a million square miles, an area larger than the U.S. state of California.
The support covers other development projects such as a new hospital, and port redevelopment and restructuring, and also include provision of helicopters and a budgetary assistance of $25 million in the current financial year.
