India and island states of the western Indian Ocean: A significant geopolitical linkage in the region

Mohammed Khalid*

Abstract India has a long history of relationship with the Island states of western Indian Ocean. These islands have a number of people of Indian origin. Strategically important, these islands are rich in resources. Historical relationship and Indian Diasporas can play a significant role in building a long lasting partnership with them. This is important to counter the rising Chinese presence on these islands and in the western Indian Ocean. Over the years, India has made efforts to develop economic, cultural and security relationship with them. It needs to make further efforts to consolidate this relationship in the overall mutual interest of India and the islands of western Indian Ocean. This paper is an attempt to understand the multifarious linkages India has with the island states of western Indian Ocean viz., Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius and Seychelles. Paper explores the need to further consolidate this relationship for mutual benefit in the 21st century. Smallest of the three oceans in the world, Indian Ocean is surrounded by Australia and Southeast Asia to the east, South Asia and Arabian Peninsula to its north and African continent to its west. Its south is flanked by the ice-covered Antarctica. The Ninety East Ridge runs north-south at meridian 90E dissecting the Indian Ocean into eastern and western halves i.e., the Bay of
Bengal and the Arabian
*Associate Professor in Political Science, Dept. of Evening Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh

Journar of Indian Ocean Studies, Vol. 19 No. 2 August 2011

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Sea. Indian Ocean has 28 littoral states and its six island states include Comoros, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles and Sri Lanka. While Maldives and Sri Lanka are part of South Asia the rest are located off African coast in the western Indian Ocean. This paper is an attempt to examine the unique and strategic position of island states in the western Indian Ocean viz., Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, and Seychelles and their multiple geopolitical linkages with India. The island states of western Indian Ocean are a varied collection of small territories like Comoros and large like Madagascar. While Comoros and Madagascar are close to the coastline of African continent, Mauritius and Seychelles are scattered hundreds of kilometers from any other land. Geostrategically important, these islands have usually been ignored while analyzing multi-national linkages within the Indian Ocean region.1 The culture in these islands reflects the ethnic diversity, history, politics, and international influences in the region. From the seventeenth century until the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, European and North American shipping relied on the western Indian Ocean and its islands for the transport of goods and spices. This had made the islands of Madagascar, Mauritius, Comoros, and Seychelles, important way-stations for international shipping and colonial outposts in the western Indian Ocean. As shorter Suez route supplanted the longer Cape of Good Hope route and steam gradually replaced sail, the region's strategic importance diminished. Their importance again increased when during Suez Crises of 1956-57 and June 1967 Arab-Israeli War, the Suez Canal was closed and trading ships had to take route around the Cape.2 Therefore the significance of these island states lies in their potential to command the Cape route in any 213

eventuality. Even now the bigger ships and oil super tankers take the Cape route to transport oil to North America and Europe. The islands In the long maritime history of the Indian Ocean which approximately dates to 2,500 B.C., traders, adventurers, and explorers from Egypt, China, India, Indonesia, Persia (Iran), and Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) had been conducting trade and commerce in and around the Indian Ocean. These activities facilitated migrations among the people from different parts of the Ocean. This also encouraged migrations from the Asians and African continents to the islands of western Indian Ocean. Emergence of European maritime empires marked a new era in the seventeenth century onwards when the Portuguese, the Dutch, the French, and the British vied to gain control over these islands.3 Subsequently, the islands were colonized by one or the other advancing European power in the region. Under the colonial rule, these islands underwent substantial socio-economic, demographic and political change which had a far reaching impact on their future. The islands of Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius and Seychelles, the focus in this essay, are briefly introduced to understand their present state of affairs. Comoros Comoros is an archipelago situated northeast of Madagascar and consists of four main islands of volcanic origin, surrounded by coral reefs. The archipelago lies in the Mozambique Channel, important to the maritime trade for the east African countries in the Indian Ocean as well as for the Indian-Atlantic Ocean. These islands cover an area of 1,862 sq km and the population of 794,683 according to 2011 estimates. Of almost entirely Comorian speaking Muslims, the country has about 1,3000 Christians and about 100 214

Indians. After a long spell of European dominance and French protection, the country became independent in July 1975 and was renamed as Federal Islamic Republic of Comoros. One of the least developed countries; Comoros has a subsistent agricultural economy and is heavily dependent on imports to meet its requirements. The country had just 1 percent economic growth during 2006-09 supplemented by the remittances from 150,000 Comorian abroad. Its gross domestic product (GDP) was estimated at $789.4 million in 2010 and per capita income at about US$1,000.4 Madagascar Fourth largest island in the world, Republic of Madagascar lies about 400 km off the southeastern coast of Africa across the Mozambique Channel. Having a total area of 587,041 sq km, it is over 1580 km long and 570 km wide. The country has a population of 21,926,221 according to 2011 estimates. Malayo-Indonesian, Cotiers (of mixed African, Malayo-Indonesian, and Arab ancestry), French, Indian, Creole, Comorian are the main ethnic groups in Madagascar. About 52 percent of the population adheres to indigenous beliefs while about 41 percent are Christian and 7 percent Muslim.5 Agriculture, including fishing and forestry, is the mainstay of Madagascars economy employing 80 percent of the population, accounting for about 34 percent of GDP and contributing more than 70 percent of export earnings. Some of the major export crops are coffee, sugar and vanilla. Apart from agricultural products, Madagascar exports petroleum products and chromites ore. Industry features textile manufacturing and the processing of agricultural products. The country had a GDP of $20.73 billion and a per capita income of $1,000 in 2010. Madagascar took to 215

liberalization of its economy at the behest of World Bank-IMF in the mid-1990s. The country has faced political crises for a long time and the current crisis which began in early 2009 between President Marc Ravalomanana and the opposition have dealt additional blow to the economy causing drop in tourism by more than 50 percent. As per the 2009 estimates, Madagascars total exports were worth $US1.04 billion. France is the largest export partner of Madagascar sharing approximately 39 percent of the total export volume. Other major export partners are the US and Germany, sharing 20.3 percent and 5 percent of exports respectively. Madagascars imports stood at $US1.836 billion in 2009 which included consumer goods, heavy machinery, capital goods and food. China is the main import partner of Madagascar with a share of about 20 percent.6 Mauritius Island Republic of Mauritius comprises Mauritius and Rodrigues islands and two small groups of islands located about 800 km east of Madagascar. Of volcanic origin and mostly surrounded by coral reefs, it covers a total area of about 2,040 sq km. Densely populated, Mauritius has a highly diverse population. Indians make up about 70 percent of the population; rest is shared by the Malays, Africans, French, British, and the Chinese. Half of the population is Hindu by religion and Roman Catholics and Muslims form other large groups. Known to Arab navigators since the 10th century, the Portuguese occupied Mauritius in about 1505 and later it was successively ruled by the Dutch, and the French. The British captured the island in 1810 during the Napoleonic Wars. It remained a strategically important British naval base, and later an air station, playing an important role during World War II for anti-submarine and convoy operations, as well as the collection of signals 216

intelligence. On March 12, 1968, it became an independent state and then a republic within the British Commonwealth in 1992. For most of the period since independence, economy of the Mauritius has grown by of 5 to 6 percent annually and it had a GDP of $17.49 billion in 2010 with a per capita income of $13,500. Services sector shares 70.5 percent of GDP followed by 24.6 percent from industry and 4.8 percent from agriculture. About 60 percent of its land area is under farming of which 90 percent is sugarcane plantations. Other crops grown include tea, potatoes, tomatoes, bananas, cabbages, and onions. Major industries are sugar refining, tea processing, soft-drink and fertilizer manufacturing. Other economic activities include tourism, textiles and apparel, and financial services. Due to its remarkable record of economic growth, Mauritius has attracted investments from South Africa, and China, especially in the banking sector to the tune of over $1 billion.7 Mauritius imports petroleum products, machinery, and food items mainly from European Union, followed by India --who shares about 19 percent of imports. It exports clothing and textiles, sugar, molasses, and tea, mainly to United States, Madagascar, South Africa, and Seychelles. Over all India is second largest trade partner of Mauritius. Seychelles Comprising a scattered archipelago of about 110 islands, The Republic of Seychelles is situated 925 km northeast of Madagascar in the western Indian Ocean. These islands cover an area of 453 sq km. Located just south of the equator; Seychelles is composed of two main island groups: the Mah group --some 40 mountainous, forested, granite islands-- and a group of some 70 outer, flat, waterless, coralline islets which are virtually uninhabited. Seychelles is strategically 217

located in the Indian Ocean on the sea route from South Africa to the Indian subcontinent. The British reached this archipelago in 1609. The French explored them in 1742 and the islands were formally annexed to France in 1756. France surrendered them to the British in 1810 and in 1903 Seychelles became a crown colony. In 1975 it became a selfgoverning country within the British Commonwealth. Population on the island is composed of descendents of people who immigrated from African continent, France, India, and China. French and English are official languages along with Seychellois Creole, which is primarily based upon French. About 96 percent of the population is Christian, about 2.1 percent practices Hinduism and 1.1 percent Muslim.8 Near-subsistent agriculture at the time of independence in 1976, Seychelless economy is now in the upper-middle income group of countries. The main growth engine, tourist sector, employs about 30% of the labour force and provides more than 70% of hard currency earnings. Farming, tuna fishing, and small-scale manufacturing are other important sectors of its economy. Despite healthy GDP growth the country has faced food and oil price shocks, foreign exchange shortage, and high inflation etc. Seychelles exported canned tuna, frozen fish, cinnamon bark, copra, petroleum products of about $391.7 million in 2007. About 21.1 percent of its exports went to UK 19.1 percent to France in 2008. Its exports also went to Mauritius, Japan, Italy, and Netherlands. Mauritius imports were estimated at US$804 million in 2007 which comprised of machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products and chemicals. In 2008 Saudi Arabia shared 17.5 percent of its imports followed by Singapore 12.4 percent, France 10.3, Spain 8.1, Germany 7, India 5.4, and South Africa 4.7 percent. Manufacturing is limited to food processing, cigarette making, and brewing etc.9 218

India and the island republics of western Indian Ocean Being oldest civilization on its littoral, Indians have been traveling to far off places riding the waves of the Indian Ocean. The island republics of western Indian Ocean historically had a close relationship with India due to the presence of Indian Diaspora. Indians were first brought in these islands as indentured labourers or coolie especially after the slave trade was abolished and Europeans needed new work force in these islands. For example, Indians began to be brought to Mauritius in 1834 as indentured labourers to work in sugarcane fields and by the time the indentured labourer system was abandoned, Indian immigrants formed majority of islands population which now constitutes two-thirds of it. Initially, Bhojpuri people were brought from India but later Tamils, Telgu and Gujaratis also came to settle in Mauritius. In fact, in the entire Chagos Archipelago, people of Indian origin form majority of the population, influencing the sociological, cultural political and economic landscapes of these islands. Similarly, people from India were brought to Reunion, Seychelles and Rodrigues Islands by the colonial masters. Indians brought their religions, languages and culture with them. According to the 2001 census there were 1,600 Indians mostly Hindus and ethnic east Indians in Seychelles. They have kept their native culture alive through various organisations and religio-cultural activities. These organisations include: Indo-Seychelles Friendship Association; the Seychelles Tamil Cultural Development Centre; Seychelles Tamil Mandlam; Seychelles Hindu Kovil Sangan; Sanskrithi and the Hindu Council of Seychelles. Majority of Indian immigrants in Madagascar are Gujaratis and Shia Muslims. They began to migrate there in 1880s as traders. There were 4,480 Indians making 21 percent of the total foreign population (second to the French) according to 1911 census. At present Indians in 219

Madagascar are estimated to be about 25,000. They are believed to control 50-60 percent of the country's economy, especially the retail trade, often making them target of locals jealousies. Indians practice their religions, languages and culture and have formed associations such as Association of Khoja Shia, Antananarivo; Faiz-E-Mohammedi Madagascar; Hindou Samaj D'antananarivo,
10

Diego

Suarez;

and

I'association Hindou Society.

Historical relations with them and

presence of impressive Indian Diasporas have facilitated India to consolidate mutual relationship with these states in different fields. Conscious of the strategic importance of the island states in the western Indian Ocean, India began to develop diplomatic relations with them immediately after their gaining independence. Diplomatic relations were established with Comoros in June 1976 two years after its independence. India set up its Consulate in Madagascar in 1954, which was upgraded to an Embassy in 1960 as Madagascar gained independence. With Mauritius, diplomatic relations were established in 1948 even before its independence from the British in 1968. Diplomatic ties with Seychelles exist since the very first day of its independence in June 1976. However the first resident High Commissioner to Seychelles was appointed in 1987. Trade and investment India has active trade relations with Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius and Seychelles. India imports coffee, tea, spices, and boats from Comoros and exports meat, edibles, cotton, plastic articles and medicines to that country. Exports to Comoros have jumped from US$1.15 million in 2000-01 to 9.29 million in 2009-10 and imports from almost nil to US$0.68 million during the same period. From Madagascar, India imports spices, pearls and precious stones, cashew nuts and organic chemicals and exports semi-finished iron and steel,

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drugs and pharmaceuticals, machinery and instruments, transport equipments, cotton yarn, fabrics, manufactures of metals, rice, plastic and linoleum products. During the last decade, Indias exports to Madagascar have increased from US$10.79 million in 2000-01 to 85.71 million in 2009-10, and imports from 0.38 to US$19.03 million during the same period.11 To promote direct trade between the two countries, Madagascar has set up The House of Madagascar at Coimbatore in India.
Apart from trade, Indian investment is also finding way to Madagascar. Varun Mines & Minerals, a Mauritius-based subsidiary of Indias Varun Industries, has entered into a joint venture agreement with Cluff Resources Pacific NL of Australia to develop

precious mines in Madagascar. Varun group has also acquired majority stake in Madagascar Energy Corporation, and now owns licenses and lease rights for mining gold, platinum and other precious stones at Ranapiso (Fort Dauphin), Ankaramena and Ihosy in Madagascar. Varun Energy Corporation of the same group has acquired 1,111 blocks covering 6,900 sq km area with estimated reserves of 1,700,000 tonne of uranium, 4,350,000 tonne of thorium in Madagascar. Government of India through its Export-Import (Exim) Bank of India has extended a line of credit of $ 25 million for buying goods and services from India for its projects on rice productivity and fertilizer production.12 One of the biggest trading partners of Mauritius, India imports iron and steel, boilers, machinery; medicines, etc. and exports mineral fuels, oils, distillation products, boilers, vehicles, tramway, cotton, dairy products, eggs, honey, edible animal product; animal and vegetable fats and oils. Indian exports to Mauritius valued at US$453.43 million and imports 10.89 million in 2009-10. To identify the areas of investment both the countries discussed the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA) in 2005 and India has Preferential Trade Area Agreement (PTA) with Mauritius. 221

Under the terms of PTA duty free access is granted on about 30 Mauritian products. India is planning its own Economic Zone in Mauritius, at a cost of $1 billion. Indian public sector entrepreneurs in Mauritius include, Bank of Baroda; Indian Oil Corporation; India Handloom House; Life Insurance of Corporation of India; Mahanagar Telephone (Mauritius) Ltd.; New India Assurance Co. Ltd.; State Bank of India (Mauritius); and Telecommunication Consultant India Ltd. (TCIL). Indian Companies or Joint Ventures registered in Mauritius include, AAPCA (Mauritius) Ltd.; Afcon Infrastructure Limited; Ajanta Pharma (Mtius) Ltd.; Alpha PCI Pest Management; Apollo Bramwell Hospital Moka; Apollo Tubes Ltd.; Avant (Mauritius) Ltd.; Chandni Oil Company (Mtius) Ltd.; Crain

Technologies Ltd.; Connoiseur (Mau) Ltd.; Elab Co. Ltd.; Essar Global Services Limited; ESSEL Group of Industries; Fortis Clinique Darn; ICICI International; Infosys Technologies Limited; Kamdhenu Enterprises Ltd; Maash Adv. Ltd.; Mark Infra - Trade (Mauritius) Ltd.; Opinion Express Newspaper; Relish Marketing Limited (Haldiram); SAS Net Savy Solutions Ltd.; SEPL International Ltd.; Shapoorji Pallonji Hotel.13 India encourages deep economic engagement between the entrepreneurs of the two countries. Mauritius ranks first in respect of FDI inflows to India amongst all the countries with cumulative inflows amounting to US $ 10.98 billion. Top sectors attracting FDI inflows from Mauritius included electrical equipment, telecommunications, fuels, cement & gypsum products and services sector (financial & non-financial). Mauritius has been granted 39 Technical Collaborations since 1991. The top five sectors attracting and Co. Ltd.; Software Labs Ltd.; Srei (Mauritius) Infrastructure Development Company Limited, and The Oberoi

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technology from Mauritius are fuels, chemicals, hotel & tourism, telecommunications and industrial machinery, in that order. During the last 10 years, approved Indian direct investment in joint ventures and wholly owned subsidiaries in Mauritius has been to the tune of US $ 1141.42 million.14 These maneuvers show deep Indian involvement in Mauritius. It also speak of the thickness of technical and economic cooperation between the two countries Co-operation in various fields between India and Seychelles is governed by the Joint Commission on Economic and Technical cooperation. The Seychelles Chamber of Commerce and Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries have signed a trade agreement under which a Joint Business Council has been set up. Trade between India and Seychelles has increased manifold during the last decade. Indian exports have increased from US$7.85 million in 2000-01 to 20.9 million in 2009-10 and imports from Mauritius have increased from mere 0.03 million to US$1.64 million during the same period. India exports transport equipment, rice and cereals, cement etc. to Seychelles and imports printing material, paper board wood and wood products. Both the countries signed a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) which is operational since 2007. In June 2010 India and Seychelles signed a Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (BIPA) and for direct air link with India for the improvement of economic ties.15 Indian companies have been invited to invest in the sectors such as industry, fishing, oil exploration, hospitality, retailing and IT etc. Tata Motors had helped to set up the Seychelles Public Transport Corporation (SPTC) by providing 80 buses on commercial terms in 1978. Tata has also helped Seychelles to set up and run a maintenance workshop for SPTC.

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Security scenario and need for cooperative measures Due to rising terrorism and Somalia based sea piracy, the strategic environment in the western Indian Ocean has become quite volatile. All the island states in the region have faced piracy problem which has adversely affected their tourism industry and has targeted their fishing vessels bringing decline in these sectors of their economy. For instance, Somali pirates seized the Comorian-flagged ship Aly Zoulfecar, on its way to Tanzania from the Comoros, with nine crew members and 20 passengers on board in November 2010. In March 2010 these pirates seized a tanker off Madagascar in the Indian Ocean while carrying oil from the United Arab Emirates to Tanzania. Pirate sightings or attacks were reported almost daily near the islands in late 2010. In March 2010, Seychelles coastguard vessel rescued six fishermen from the islands and 21 Iranian seamen being held by Somali pirates. Pirates hijacked a Seychelles fishing vessel with its seven crew members and were taken to Somali coast. Rachel Chandler and her husband Paul were kidnapped near the Seychelles by Somali pirates as they sailed from Seychelles. Pirates attacked a private yacht Serenity sailing for Madagascar, in which Gilbert Victor and Andre Conrad were on board. They also attacked a number of small ships carrying livestock to Kenya or to South Africa.16 India is well aware of maritime security concerns of the region. To protect Sea Lanes of Communication (SLOCS), to check and stamp out sea-piracy, to fight against maritime terrorism, and to break the emerging narco-terrorism-crime nexus, India has developed a blue-water navy and has become the largest maritime force in the region. India has initiated the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) which also include Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius and Seychelles as its members to enhance maritime cooperation among the navies of littoral states of the Indian Ocean region and to discuss regionally relevant maritime issues. Apart 224

from the security concerns posed by sea piracy and maritime terrorism, China, an expanding outside power, is increasingly showing its presence in these island states. China has also sent its naval ships on anti-piracy patrols into the Indian Ocean region and the Gulf of Aden to ensure the security of its trading ships and oil tankers in the wake of its burgeoning trade with Gulf countries, Africa, and the island states of western Indian Ocean. Chinese expansion through trade, aid and investments can muscle India aside in its traditional backyard. Increase in the Chinese presence in the area can gradually erode the Indian political influence there. Since 1970s China has been spreading its wings in these islands. This is a major concern for India as this relationship can be used as important strategic space in Chinas string of pearls policy in any eventuality. With Comoros China established diplomatic relations in

November 1975. Since then it has steadily increased economic exchanges, and expanded trade and technological cooperation with Comoros. China has provided aid for water-supply project, has built people's palace, government office building, presidential mansions and a TV and broadcasting building in Comoros. In 2002, the SinoComoros trade valued at US$ 760,000, all being exports from China. China has expanded cooperation with Madagascar after the two countries health established human diplomatic resources relations in 1970. There the is two considerable cooperation in the fields of education, culture, public and development between countries. China established diplomatic relations with Mauritius in 1972. Since then it is nurturing relations with this strategically located island. India has reasons to be concerned over recent developments in Mauritius since the visit of President Hu Jintao of 225

China to Port Louis in February, 2009. China announced a credit at low interest of US $ 260 million to Mauritius to modernize and expand its airport and has indicated in enhancement of trade between the two countries. China also announced an interest-free loan of US $ 5.9 million and a grant of 30 million Yuan (about US $ 5 million) to Mauritius. China has also speeded up the construction of the Chinafunded $730 million Economic and Trade Zone (The Tianli project), north of Port Louis. In 2009, thirteen Chinese companies operate in Mauritius in the textiles, construction and IT sectors. In 2006, the Chinese company Huawei moved its African headquarters including its Africa research center to Mauritius as part of the islands "cyber island" policy. Chinas trade with Mauritius was worth US$323 million, in 2007. Growing economic influence of China has the potential to increase its political influence which can neutralize the cultural influence India enjoys in Mauritius today. With Seychelles China established diplomatic relations in June 1976 and has since constructed a poly-technical school, Mont Fleuri Middle School, the national swimming pool, developed housing project in Les Mamelles, and the Seychelles Bureau of Standard. Its trade with Seychelles has also expanded. China exported US$1.48 million while imported goods worth $100,000 from Seychelles in 2002. Chinese leaders are making their forays in the island states aware of their strategic significance vis--vis India --and the United States, who is keeping its military stronghold in Diego Garcia. Chinese pursuing offering its of financial in Africa assistance with a in wave infrastructure of strategic development is a challenge for India. By such efforts, China is objectives investments on these islands. The China-Pakistan tangle also explains the Arabian Sea's decisive geostrategic setting. For the Chinese, this relationship is crucial from the point of view of energy 226

security. Pakistan can provide Beijing access point --through its Gwadar naval base-- to the oil-rich Middle East and an effective counter-balance to India's naval ambitions. It can also be used as a military base to counter US influence in Arabian Sea. In any case such an alliance is detrimental to Indias naval interests. SinoPakistani cooperation and Chinas deepening relations with the island states of Indian Ocean call for an effective Indian plan to gain an upper hand in the western Indian Ocean. In working out an Indian strategy for the island states under focus, India has to give equal attention to political, economic and naval aspects. India must engage them militarily also. As of today, Comoros defence largely depends on France who provides naval resources for protection of its territorial waters, provide training to Comorian military personnel, and provide air surveillance. France also maintains few senior officers presence in Comoros at government request. India does not have any strategic partnership with Comoros. In Madagascar, India had constructed and activated a monitoring station in 2007, complete with radars and surveillance gear to

intercept maritime communications and to keep a watch on ship movements in the western Indian Ocean. It is part of Indian Navys strategy to protect the SLOCS and gather intelligence on foreign navies operating in the region. The station also monitors piracy and terrorist activities. The station is important as it can keep watch on oil traffic across the Cape of Good Hope and the Mozambique Channel route preferred by super tankers. India has created strong defence ties with Mauritius. Under its Technical and Economic Co-operation (ITEC) programme, India trains 227

about 30-45 personnel from the Mauritian Police Force annually in Indian defence training establishments. Under an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in October 2005 India has undertaken Hydrography survey in the waters around Port Louis Harbour, and other places in Mauritius waters. In 2008, India signed an MOU for the supply of Dhruv Advance Light Helicopter to the Mauritius Police Force. Indian Naval Ships visit Mauritius for regular interaction with the defence forces of Mauritius and to protect the waters around Mauritius. On a goodwill mission, Indian Navy ships INS Talwar and INS Godavari, INS 'Mumbai' and INS 'Karmuk' visited Mauritius in April 2008. Navy ship INS 'Tir', INS 'Krishna' and Indian Coast Guard Ship 'Vivek' visited Mauritius in September 2008. Similarly, INS Trishul, visited Mauritius for three weeks from May 23 to June 12, 2010 to conduct joint patrolling and surveillance operations with the National Coast Guard of Mauritius to prevent piracy and illegal fishing activities and help reinforce maritime security in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Mauritius. India and Seychelles have excellent defense ties and India has helped Seychelles in many defence related programmes. Under the ITEC programme a number of Seychellois have benefited from training courses conducted in Indian defense establishments. India has also been deputing experts in defense sectors to assist Seychelles. In the past several years, India has sent military and naval advisers to Seychelles People's Defense Force (SPDF). Indian Naval Ships make regular goodwill visits to Port Victoria. Seychelles Defence Academy in India helped to build the Since then, Indian 1989.

government has regularly helped to upgrade and restructure the SPDF. Indian government has gifted to Seychelles a Dornier aircraft to conduct maritime surveillance within its Exclusive Economic Zone. 17 228

Seychelles

has

regularly

faced

pirate

attacks

on

its

commercial ships, cruise liners and private boats causing decline in Tuna fishing by 30 percent and restricting the visits by cruise liners and yachts adversely affecting its tourism industry. On Seychelles request India has regularly sent warships to Seychelles for surveillance, the last being INS Savitri which called at Seychelles ports in January 2010. India has also provided military training to its forces in counter-terrorism operations and VVIP security.18 After the end of Cold War, security in the Indian Ocean has become a crucial issue. Massive military build-ups, and piling up of nuclear weapons by the countries on Indian Ocean littoral has increased risks of devastating conflicts and it has increased Indias security responsibilities in the region. India can not remain a mute witness to growing Chinese and other outside influences in the Ocean especially to the strategically located island states of the western Indian Ocean. Cultural relations Long history of cultural relations and presence of sizable Indian Diaspora play a springboard for cultural cooperation between India and the island states of western Indian Ocean. Indian communities in these countries expect from India to create bondages through spiritual as well as cultural linkages. To promote this cooperation Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) has extended 30 scholarships under Mauritius Scholarship Scheme. It also provides 3 scholarships to Mauritius under Special Scholarship Scheme. India has created a Chair in Sanskrit & Indian Philosophy in Mauritius. Indira Gandhi Centre for Indian Culture (IGCIC) was created in 1987 in Mauritius to promote Indian art and culture through artistes and to 229

teach various dances, vocal and instrumental music, and yoga to Mauritian nationals. Library at IGCIC stocks a collection of over 10,000 books on various aspects of Indian history, art & culture and languages. Cultural troupes are regularly sent by Indian Council of Cultural Relations. In 1997 an Odyssey dance troupe was sent to Seychelles. This was followed by a Bihu and Rajasthani folk dance and music troupe in 1998. A photo exhibition depicting various aspects of Indian culture was held in 1999 and an exhibition of Madhubani paintings was organised in 2000.19 India gives 2 scholarships to Comoros, 1 each to Madagascar and Seychelles under the Africa Scholarship Scheme. Many Indian origin nationals from Mauritius and even Madagascar and Seychelles visit India on religious pilgrimage which strengthens their cultural ties with the country of their origin. India can use this unparalleled cultural linkage to strengthen its presence in these islands. Conclusion As India's influence grows in global affairs, its security responsibility has also increased in the region. The island states scattered in the western Indian Ocean may be at a far off distance from India, but the distance has not come in the way of Indias relations with them throughout history.20 They are important to India as strategic outposts in the Ocean. Trade relations with them are growing and Indias corporate sector is investing there.
Strengthening relations with them has great potential as it can potentially open a window to enhance trade ties with 15 countries of Southern African Development Community (SADC). With its tremendous naval potential India can

help them in counter piracy measures, collaborate to conduct surveillance missions, provide humanitarian assistance, and send disaster relief when required. India has already reached out to these island states on climate change and set up "pan-African e-

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network project" to provide e-services on tele-education and telemedicine and VVIP connectivity by satellite and fiber optic network among heads of these states. With its state of art technologies, India can help Madagascar to develop its natural resources for mutual benefit. Indian education sector can outsource its services to train nationals from these islands and set up franchises to offer different courses in these states. Being plural societies, India can help them in strengthening democracy and conflict management. India has to keep and update its presence in these islands to counter growing Chinese influence there. Presence of China and other outside powers on these islands as strategic partners is detrimental to Indias Ocean policy. If India has to increase its influence in the Indian Ocean region, cordial relations with these island states is a pre-condition. It can help to get their support for Indias case to be a permanent member of UN Security Council. There is also need to further reinvigorate bilateral and multilateral economic and commercial cooperation with them. Indian corporate sector can set up its operations in hitherto untapped areas to further our economic cooperation with these states. Measures to consolidate and develop Indias historical friendship and cooperation with the island states of western Indian Ocean can help India to build a strategic partnership in the 21st Century. It can also help check contemporary threats rising in the Ocean realm. Above all such a partnership will help India to have a secure Indian Ocean, which it direly needs for its growing economy.
End Notes
1. Malyn Newitt: The Comoros Islands: Struggle Against Dependency in the Indian Ocean, Westview Press, Aldershot, 1985; Ottenheimer, Martin and Harriet: Historical Dictionary of the Comoro Islands, Scarecrow Press, Lanham, 1994; Bradt, Hillary: Madagascar, (The Bradt Travel Guide) 10th Ed, London,

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March 2011; Dodd, Jan and Philippe, Madeleine: Mauritius, Reunion & Seychelles, (5 th edition) Lonely Planet Publications, Victoria, 2007. p. 340; "Republic of Mauritius, Government Portal (Mauritius), at, http://www.gov.mu; Seychelles: Carpin, Sarah: Garden of Eden in the Indian Ocean, Odyssey Publications, Hong Kong, 2005; Franda, Marcus: The Seychelles: unquiet islands, Westview Press, Colorado, 1982. p.2; Wilson, Sir Arnold T: The Suez Canal, Oxford University Press, 1939; 3. Chaudhuri, K. N: Trade and Civilisation in the Indian Ocean, Cambridge University Press, 1985; Corn, Charles: The Scents of Eden: A History of the Spice Trade, Kodansha USA Inc., 1999; Lindsay, W.S: History of Merchant Shipping and Ancient Commerce, Adamant Media Corporation, 2006; Young, Gary Keith: Rome's Eastern Trade: International Commerce and Imperial Policy, 31 BC-AD 305, Routledge, London, 2001. 4. Pitcher, Gemma and Wright, Patricia C: Madagascar and Comoros (Lonely Planet World Guide), Lonely Planet Publications, Victoria, 2004; Comoros: Country Studies - Federal Research Division, Library of Congress Call No. DS349.8 .I5 1995; Comoros Economy 2011, CIA World Fact book 2011. 5. Pitcher, Gemma and Wright, Patricia C: Madagascar and Comoros, op. cit.; Madagascar Population, Encyclopedia of the Nations, http://www.nationsencyclopedia. com/Africa/MadagascarPOPULATION.html; 6. Bakano, Otto, Boost in Intra-African Trade to Ride Out Economic Storm, Global Watch, The News Letter of The International Import-Export Institute, Volume II, Issue 3, May-June, 2010, pp. 8-9; For more details of Madagascar trade, see, Foreign Trade, Madagascar Table of Contents, U.S. Library of Congress, at, http://countrystudies.us/madagascar/26.htm 7. See, Mauritius Economy Profile 2011, CIA World Fact book, December 2011. 8. See, CIA- World Fact Book, op. cit., 9. Seychelles - THE ECONOMY, http://www.mongabay.com/ 10. Indian Associations, Organisation & Communities in Madagascar, NRI Reality News, at, http://www.nrirealtynews.com/madagascar.php 11. http://business.gov.in/outerwin.php?id=http://commerce.nic.in/eidb/icntq.asp 12. http://focusafrica.gov.in/Mauritius_agriculture_activity.html

13. List of Indian PSUs and private companies operating in Mauritius has been taken from the website of High Commission of India Mauritius, available at, http://indiahighcommauritius.com/india_mauritius_eco_rel.php 14. India and Mauritius to work for greater FDI inflow into indias infrastructure sector Mauritius commerce industry minister meets Dr. Ashwani Kumar, 18 Apr 2006 New Delhi, http://commerce.nic.in/pressrelease/pressrelease_detail.asp?id=232 15. Beri, Ruchita, Indias Africa Policy in the Post Cold-War Era: An Assessment, Strategic Analysis, Vol.27, No.2, Apr-Jun 2003, pp. 216-232; also see, Trade Promotion Programme -

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Focus: Africa, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, New Delhi, at, http://commerce.nic.in/trade/international_tpp_africa_13_seychelles.asp; also see website of Indian High Commission in Seychelles, at, http://www.seychelles.net/hicomind/indo_sey.htm 16. Pirates Attack Yachts near the Seychelles, Boating and Sailing News 26 Mar 2009, at, http://yachtpals.com/piracy-seychelles-4120 17. Indian Maritime Surveillance Aircraft Lent to Seychelles to Combat Piracy, Pakistan Defence, at, http://www.defence.pk/forums/india-defence/94659-indian-maritime-surveillanceaircraft-lent-seychelles-combat-piracy.html 18. Seychelles to get Indian aircraft for anti-piracy patrols, The Times of India, February 16, 2011. 19. For the activities of The Indira Gandhi Centre for Indian Culture, see, High Commission of India Mauritius, at, http://indiahighcom-mauritius.com/igcic.php 20. Distance from Mumbai to Moroni (Comoros) is 4630 Km., to Antananarivo (Madagascar) about 5021.69 Km, to Victoria (Seychelles) 3175 km, and to Mauritius 4651 km.

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