All you need to know about India-financed Agalega air base in Mauritius

New Delhi: India and Mauritius have jointly inaugurated an Indian-financed air base on the island of Agalega in Mauritius. The base is considered to be of high significance to India to counter China’s influence in the region.

The land, with just 300 inhabitants, is situated at a prime location in the southwest Indian Ocean. According to reports, it will be used as a naval base and a launching pad where Indian aircraft will be able to support the country’s ships.

Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth said, “There has never been a project to turn Agalega into a military base.”

“India-bashing campaign is fomented by some people in Mauritius and abroad.”

However, in 2018, Jugnauth confirmed to the Financial Times that, “India would be allowed to utilize the facilities in Agalega subject to prior notification from the competent authorities of Mauritius.”

The 3-kilometer air strip and jetty project was agreed upon during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2015 visit to Mauritius and cost 8.8 billion Mauritian rupees ($192 million).

The facilities at Agalega will enable maritime patrols over the Mozambique Channel and will also allow the Indian Navy to observe shipping routes around southern Africa.

(Defence Watch– India’s Defence News centre that places the spotlight on Defence Manufacturing, Defence Technology, Strategy and Military affairs is on Twitter. Follow us here and stay updated.)