Port Louis: India is finalising an agreement for the supply of oil and gas to Mauritius to strengthen its energy security amid the crisis due to the West Asia conflict, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said here on Thursday.
Jaishankar, who is in Mauritius to attend the 9th Indian Ocean Conference, said the ongoing crisis in West Asia as Mauritius Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam reminded him, has underscored the importance of strategic partnerships, especially in the energy sector.
The West Asia war and Iran’s chokehold of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which a fifth of global oil passes, had halted shipping and sent global oil prices soaring.
“We are finalising a government-to-government agreement for the supply of oil and gas, which will play an important role in reinforcing energy security for Mauritius,” Jaishankar said. Jaishankar added that Mauritius Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam highlighted the value of strategic partners. Jaishankar said energy cooperation is now a stronger priority.
Jaishankar said India and Mauritius are also working on cleaner energy options. Jaishankar noted an Indian public sector enterprise is building Mauritius first floating solar power project. Jaishankar described the wider partnership as focused on environment-friendly solutions. Jaishankar said cooperation is expanding across energy and climate-related work.
“Building on our cooperation in renewable energy, including the 8 MW solar power plant at Henrietta, we also work closely with the International Solar Alliance and the Global Biofuels Alliance,” Jaishankar said. Jaishankar linked these efforts to shared plans on solar and biofuels. Jaishankar presented them as part of long-term energy planning.
Jaishankar said India plans to complete the delivery of electric buses to Mauritius. Jaishankar said the final lot of e-buses is expected to support greener public transport. Jaishankar added that the project is intended to cut carbon emissions. The remarks placed mobility alongside energy supply as a core theme. India, Mauritius, Enhanced Strategic Partnership, Narendra Modi visit
“In the span of just over a year, the partnership between our nations has witnessed remarkable and substantive progress,” Jaishankar said. Jaishankar recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit in March last year. Jaishankar said both sides agreed to raise ties to an Enhanced Strategic Partnership.
“This elevation equally reflects the expanding scope and deepening substance of our cooperation across a wide range of shared priorities,\” Jaishankar said. Jaishankar also referred to Ramgoolam’s travel to India in September last year. Jaishankar said it was Ramgoolam’s first bilateral overseas visit. Jaishankar said the visit produced a Special Economic Package. Jaishankar said it was aligned to Mauritius development priorities and aspirations.
