Indian Navy Chief Admiral Krishna Swaminathan met Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam on August 12 during his official four-day visit to Mauritius, with discussions centred on strengthening bilateral maritime cooperation and supporting Mauritius’s capacity-building efforts. The engagement underscores the growing importance India attaches to its strategic partnership with Mauritius in the Indian Ocean Region.
During the meeting, Admiral Swaminathan conveyed India’s continued support for Mauritius in developing its maritime capabilities. The discussions come as both countries seek to expand cooperation in maritime security and strengthen the ability of regional partners to address common challenges across the Indian Ocean.
The Indian Navy has maintained close defence and maritime links with Mauritius, including cooperation aimed at enhancing maritime domain awareness, training and capacity building. Admiral Swaminathan’s current visit provides an opportunity to further deepen these established links and explore additional areas of cooperation between the two maritime forces.
The visit also reflects India’s wider strategic outreach across the Indian Ocean. Mauritius occupies an important position in the region, and stronger defence cooperation with the island nation contributes to India’s broader efforts to promote a secure, stable and cooperative maritime environment.
Earlier during his Mauritius visit, Admiral Swaminathan also held discussions with senior Mauritian officials, including Commissioner of Police Rampersad Sooroojebally and Secretary for Home and Defence Affairs Kan Oye Fong Weng-Poorun. These engagements focused on expanding linkages between Indian and Mauritian maritime forces.
India and Mauritius have also been strengthening their broader strategic partnership. In June 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Ramgoolam reaffirmed their commitment to the India-Mauritius Enhanced Strategic Partnership and cooperation for peace, stability and prosperity in the Indian Ocean Region.
Admiral Swaminathan’s meeting with the Mauritian Prime Minister therefore marks another important step in advancing defence and maritime ties between the two countries. Continued cooperation in capacity building, maritime security and operational coordination is expected to remain an important component of India-Mauritius relations.