Home » Evidence reveals India’s secret naval base on the island of Mauritius | Mauritius | Al Jazeera

Evidence reveals India’s secret naval base on the island of Mauritius | Mauritius | Al Jazeera

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According to satellite images, financial data and field evidence obtained by the Al Jazeera investigation team, India has built a naval facility on the remote island of Agalega in Mauritius.

Military experts who analyzed the evidence from Al Jazeera said that it is almost certain that the Indian Navy will use the airstrip under construction for maritime patrol missions.

Rumors and media reports about the military base first appeared in 2018, but both Mauritius and India denied that the construction project would be used for military purposes and emphasized that the infrastructure was only for the benefit of the islanders.

Satellite pictures show that on Agalega Island, which is about 1,100 kilometers away from the main island of Mauritius and has only 300 residents, is building two large piers and a runway more than 3 kilometers long.

Abu Xishek Mishra, an associate researcher at the Think Tank of the Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi, told Al Jazeera reporters, “This is India’s deployment of air force and navy intelligence facilities to strengthen the country’s coverage of the wider southwestern Indian Ocean and the Mozambique Strait. monitor.”

Mishra added, “According to my personal information and the content of my conversations with people in the circle, the base will be used to berth our ships, and this runway will be mainly used for our P-8I aircraft. “He was referring to the P-8I anti-submarine patrol aircraft, which can be used for surveillance and anti-submarine warfare.

At present, planes that want to land on the island of Agalega must use an 800-meter-long runway, which is only long enough for the Mauritius Coast Guard’s propeller aircraft.

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The new airstrip is still under construction, and its length will be similar to that used by the world’s largest aircraft in large international airports.

A comparison of satellite images shows an increase in activity on this sparsely populated island (News Agency)

Samuel Bashfield, a researcher at the School of National Security at the Australian National University, told Al Jazeera reporters that the Indian Ocean is increasingly becoming a hotspot for countries to expand their geopolitical influence.

Bashfield pointed out, “For India, the southwestern Indian Ocean is an important area, where Indian aircraft can support their ships, and the area can also be used as a fulcrum for operations.”

Bashfield’s research focuses on the strategic and geopolitical issues of the Indian Ocean. He added, “I think this region is very important as a complement to other India’s fulcrums of action.”

“I think this is definitely the perfect location for a military base.”

Al Jazeera used shipping data to track about 12 cargo ships carrying construction materials from Indian ports to Agalega.

These pictures and data show that in the past two years, the island has become the residence of hundreds of construction workers who live in a semi-permanent camp at the northern end of the 12-kilometer-long island.

There are about 1,000 Indian construction workers working on Agalega Island (Al Jazeera)

Maritime patrol

Prior to the construction of infrastructure on Agalega Island, the Government of Mauritius and the Government of India reached an agreement in 2015.

The two countries agreed to “build and upgrade infrastructure on the outer islands of Mauritius to improve sea and air connections to greatly improve the living conditions of residents on this remote island” and to improve the facilities used by the Mauritius Coast Guard.

In May 2021, Mauritian Prime Minister Jagnarth categorically denied that these facilities were built for military purposes at a parliamentary meeting. “I want to make it clear here that Mauritius and India have not reached an agreement on the establishment of a military base on Agalega Island. Agreement”.

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But according to Bashfield’s calculations, this is not the entire fact.

“Except for military purposes, there is no real reason behind the development of this island.”

He also pointed out that “the purpose of these facilities is to allow the Indian military and the Mauritius Coast Guard to enter the area and conduct operations outside the area. Therefore, despite the Mauritian government’s claims that these facilities can provide better connectivity It’s correct, but it’s certainly not the real reason for this project.”

Mishra believes that the perception of the outside world is the reason why India denies the true purpose of the project.

He pointed out, “From India’s point of view, we cannot be regarded as supporters of the militarization of the region.”

“We are worried about the fact that China obtained its first overseas base in Djibouti in 2017, and if we do the same thing again, it will be very hypocritical. Therefore, at best, we can say that there will definitely be some military in this base. Components, but mainly for the connection and transfer of actions.”

India has purchased multiple P-8I anti-submarine patrol aircraft for its navy (social networking site)

Contain China

Containing the expansion of Chinese influence in the Indian Ocean seems to be the main goal of India’s construction of this facility, because India hopes to contain China’s rise.

Bashfield pointed out, “In the past few years, we have seen the Indian Ocean become more multipolar in nature.”

“We are seeing China’s growing influence in the region and building a variety of military platforms in the Indian Ocean.” He was referring to China’s military bases in Djibouti and access to multiple ports in the region.

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Mishra explained that, therefore, India has also increased its expansion efforts.

India has provided coastal radar systems to many countries in the region, including the Maldives and Mauritius.

With military installations on the island of Agalega, India will be able to track ships near the Mozambique Strait.

Mishra pointed out, “The purpose of the Agalayga agreement signed between India and Mauritius is to make the island a key point for India to expand its overall influence in the region.”

“It will provide a useful foothold for communications and electronic intelligence gathering.”

The runway on the island of Agalega with only 300 residents exceeds 3 kilometers (Al Jazeera)

The investigation team has contacted all those involved in the investigation.

The Mauritian government reiterated its position that “Mauritius and India have not reached an agreement on the establishment of a military base on the island of Agalega.”

It also added that the term “military base” means: “Facilities owned and operated by the military, or used by the military, that permanently provide military equipment and shelters for military operations.”

The government statement stated that the construction work on Agalega is aimed at improving the island’s “insufficient infrastructure” and that the island’s infrastructure will continue to be “under the control of the Mauritian authorities, and any other country will use these facilities. All must be approved by the Mauritian government.”

The Indian Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not respond to Al Jazeera reporters’ requests for comment.

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