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Mauritius and India recently opened a 3‑km airstrip and deep‑sea jetty on the remote Agalega Islands. The infrastructure, built by Indian firm AFCONS under a $250 million agreement, allows large aircraft and warships to operate from the islands. Observers see the development as part of India’s plan to expand its maritime reach in the Indian Ocean.
Background
Agaléga is a pair of small islands belonging to Mauritius, lying around 1,100 km north of the main island. Together the islands cover about 25 sq km and are home to fewer than 300 people who depend on coconuts and fishing. Before the project there was only a short 800‑m runway and no deep‑water jetty. Supplies had to be offloaded from ships anchored offshore onto small boats.
Under a 2015 agreement Mauritius allowed India to build new port and airfield facilities. Construction started in 2019 and was carried out largely by Indian workers. In February 2024 the prime ministers of India and Mauritius virtually inaugurated the new 3‑km runway and jetties.
Strategic significance
- The new runway can accommodate heavy transport aircraft such as the P‑8I Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, while the jetty can berth naval vessels. This gives India a logistical and surveillance hub in the western Indian Ocean.
- Agaléga sits close to sea lanes that carry a large share of the world’s oil and container traffic. From here India can monitor shipping between Africa, the Middle East and Asia, track submarines and protect undersea cables.
- The base bridges India’s western naval command to its east coast and links with the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, forming part of India’s “Necklace of Diamonds” strategy that counters China’s “String of Pearls”.
- Beyond defence, the facility can support search‑and‑rescue operations, monitor illegal fishing and pollution, and provide disaster‑relief staging for countries in the region.
Local concerns
The project has drawn criticism. Agaléga’s residents worry that a military base will bring restrictions and environmental damage. Mauritius and India insist that the development will improve connectivity and bring health and employment benefits to the islanders.
Sources: Zee News