The Author is Former Director General of Information Systems and A Special Forces Veteran, Indian Army

India and Mauritius have agreed to establish a satellite tracking station near Diego Garcia, aimed to give India a strategic advantage in monitoring Chinese naval activities in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The agreement was signed during Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam's visit to India from September 9-16, 2025. The agreements came alongside India's reaffirmation of Mauritius' sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, located close to Diego Garcia. The Chagos treaty signed earlier this year recognised Port Louis' sovereignty while allowing London to retain Diego Garcia for defence use.

The agreements between India and Mauritius came alongside India's reaffirmation of Mauritius' sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, located close to Diego Garcia.

America's Diego Garcia base is part of the Chagos archipelago in the Indian Ocean, strategically located between East Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. It hosts a joint UK-US military base that supports naval, air, and surveillance operations. The base is considered critical for operations in West Asia, Africa, and the Indo-Pacific. Diego Garcia has been used for US operations in the Gulf War, Afghanistan, and Iraq, and continues to play a role in monitoring sea lanes in the Indian Ocean.

The agreement between India and Mauritius includes cooperation for the establishment of telemetry, tracking and telecommunications station for satellites and launch vehicles, and for cooperation in the fields of space research, science, and application; the satellite tracking station will allow India to track and receive data from satellites, while also serving as a strategic asset for monitoring the region.

The agreement between India and Mauritius includes cooperation for the establishment of telemetry, tracking and telecommunications station for satellites and launch vehicles, and for cooperation in the fields of space research, science, and application

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the deal a 'historic milestone' and said, "India has always supported decolonisation, and the full recognition of Mauritius' sovereignty. India has always stood firmly with Mauritius in this journey." Ramgoolam thanked India for its support and said his government wanted to mark the moment with India's involvement, and said, "We want to visit the Chagos Islands, including Diego Garcia, to plant our flag. The British offered us a vessel, but we said we preferred one from India because, symbolically, it would be more meaningful."

India announced a $680 million package for Mauritius, which includes $25 million in budgetary aid and projects under grant and credit-linked formats. Key initiatives include redevelopment of Port Louis harbour, development of the Chagos Marine Protected Area, an ATC tower at the international airport, and highway and ring road expansion.

"This package is not assistance. It is an investment in our shared future," Prime Minister Modi said, emphasising that Mauritius was not just a partner but family for India.

India and Mauritius also signed an agreement on hydrography to conduct joint surveys, prepare navigation charts and share hydrographic data of the Mauritius Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). PM Modi said India remained committed to enhancing maritime security and capacity of Mauritius and underlined that a free, open, and secure Indian Ocean was a shared priority for both nations. India is refitting a Mauritius Coast Guard ship and training its officers as part of its support.

In June 2025, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (MDL) Board approved the acquisition of a controlling stake in Sri Lanka's Colombo Dockyard PLC for up to ₹452 crore.

India and Mauritius upgraded their ties to an enhanced strategic partnership earlier this year during Modi's visit to Mauritius on March 11-12, 2025. The new agreements, including the one for India to establish a satellite tracking station in Mauritius, mark a deepening of the strategic partnership between New Delhi and Port Louis. PM Modi said Mauritius is central to India's Neighbourhood First policy and Vision MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions).

In June 2025, shares of Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (MDL) increased after the MDL Board approved the acquisition of a controlling stake in Sri Lanka's Colombo Dockyard PLC for up to ₹452 crore. This strategic move marked MDL's first international acquisition, aligning with India's Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 to expand regional maritime influence and global reach. The deal, which involved acquiring shares from Japan's Onomichi Dockyard, was announced on June 27, 2025, and the stock saw an initial jump in the following days.

Key details of the acquisition include: Acquirer – MDL; Target – Colombo Dockyard PLC (CDPLC), Sri Lanka; Deal Value – up to $52.96 million (approximately ₹452 crore); Acquisition Type - a combination of primary subscription and secondary acquisition from shareholders, including the majority shareholder Onomichi Dockyard. The strategic significance off the deal includes: First International Acquisition – MDL's first foray into international markets; Regional Influence - strengthens India's regional maritime presence; Global Expansion - broadens MDL's global reach and competitiveness in the shipbuilding sector; Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 - aligns with India's vision to establish itself as a leading maritime power.

According to Captain Jagmohan, Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) of MDL said, "This is not just an acquisition, it is a gateway. It marks our first international foray and reflects our ambition to transform into a global shipbuilding enterprise. With Colombo Dockyard's strategic location, proven capabilities, and strong regional presence, this step will position MDL as a key player in South Asia and lay the foundation for our emergence as a global shipyard."

Incorporated on June 14, 1974, Colombo Dockyard has manufactured offshore support vessels, cable-laying ships, tankers, and patrol boats for many countries, including Japan, Norway, France, the UAE, India, and several African nations. According to an MDL official, 'It is the only shipyard in Sri Lanka that offers services ranging from in-house design and construction to advanced repair and marine steel fabrication." The secondary acquisition will see MDL buying some stake from Japan's Onomichi Dockyard, following which Colombo Dockyard will become a subsidiary of MDL.