This article covers how diplomatic relations between India and Mauritius began, how the MEA describes the relationship, Mahatma Gandhi's visit to Mauritius, the high-level visits mentioned in the brief and India's role as first responder in times of crisis. It is based on the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) brief on India-Mauritius relations of April 2026.

Overview

According to the MEA brief of April 2026, India has close and longstanding relations with Mauritius, an island nation in the Western Indian Ocean. The brief states that these relations are anchored in shared history, demography and culture.

Mauritius is a former British and French colony. It gained independence from British rule in 1968.

Establishment of diplomatic relations

The brief records that Mauritius was one of the handful of important countries with which independent India established diplomatic relations in 1948, even before the independence of Mauritius. Between 1948 and 1968, India was represented in British-ruled Mauritius by an Indian Commissioner. After Mauritius became independent in 1968, India has been represented by a High Commissioner.

How the brief describes the relationship

The brief characterises the relationship by a high level of trust and mutual understanding at the leadership level and continued high-level political engagement. It states that these special ties have resulted in close cooperation in the following areas:

  • maritime security;
  • development partnership;
  • capacity-building;
  • cooperation in international fora;
  • cultural exchanges and people-to-people ties.

Technical assistance through Indian experts is covered in this guide's development article.

Mahatma Gandhi in Mauritius

On his way to India from South Africa, Mahatma Gandhi briefly stopped over in Mauritius from October 29-November 15, 1901. According to the brief, he steered the destiny of Indian labourers with three transformative messages: the importance of education, political empowerment and staying connected with India. The link between Gandhi and the national day of Mauritius is explained in this guide's practical article.

High-level visits

  • the visit of President Kovind in March 2018;
  • the visit of EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar in February 2021;
  • the State Visit of President Droupadi Murmu in March 2024;
  • the State Visit of PM Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam to India in September 2025;
  • the visit of EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar to Mauritius in April 2026 for the 9th Indian Ocean Conference, when he called on PM Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam.

India as first responder

The brief states that India has traditionally been the 'First Responder' for Mauritius in times of crisis, including during the Covid-19 and Wakashio oil-spill crises.

Covid-19

At the request of Mauritius, India supplied 13 tonnes of medicines, 10 tonnes of Ayurvedic medicines and an Indian Rapid Response Medical Team to help combat Covid in April-May 2020.

India was also the first country to supply vaccines to Mauritius: 1 lakh doses of free Covishield vaccines on 22 January 2021. These were followed by 1 lakh doses of Covishield and 2 lakh doses of COVAXIN on a commercial basis.

In the other direction, Mauritius donated 200 oxygen concentrators to India in April 2021, during the second wave of Covid-19 in India.

The Wakashio oil spill

The Japanese vessel Wakashio ran aground off the Mauritian coast on July 25, 2020, causing a massive oil spill. The brief states that India was again the first responder. On August 16, 2020, an Indian Air Force aircraft brought 30 tonnes of technical equipment and a 10-member Technical Response Team.

During the Wakashio salvage operations, the Mauritian Tug 'Sir Gaetan Duval' sank after an accidental collision. INS Nireekshak joined the Mauritian National Coast Guard in salvaging it.

Cyclone Chido

In the aftermath of Cyclone Chido in December 2024, at the request of the Government of Mauritius, India extended relief assistance to Agalega through the deployment of aircraft and a ship. Food, water, medicine supplies and technical personnel were transported.