India finalising agreement to supply oil, gas to Mauritius amid West Asia crisis, says EAM Jaishankar
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar announced that India is finalising a government-to-government (G2G) agreement to supply oil and gas to Mauritius, a m...
What Happened
- External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar announced that India is finalising a government-to-government (G2G) agreement to supply oil and gas to Mauritius, a move aimed at reinforcing Mauritius' energy security amid the ongoing West Asia conflict.
- The announcement came during Jaishankar's visit to Mauritius for the 9th Indian Ocean Conference, where he also met Mauritius Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam.
- The West Asia conflict has disrupted global energy supply chains, and the G2G framework is designed to provide Mauritius with a reliable and resilient energy supply independent of volatile spot markets.
- India is also supporting a floating solar power project being developed by an Indian public sector enterprise — the first such project in Mauritius — adding a clean energy dimension to bilateral cooperation.
- The already-operational 8 MW solar plant at Henrietta, built with Indian support, is another milestone in the clean energy partnership.
- India is preparing to hand over the final batch of electric buses to Mauritius, advancing public transport decarbonisation on the island.
- India is also set to appoint a Defence Attaché in Mauritius soon, signalling deeper security engagement.
- India reiterated support for 100 community development projects across Mauritius, Rodrigues, and Agalega.
Static Topic Bridges
SAGAR Doctrine and India's Indian Ocean Strategy
SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) is India's maritime framework for the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), articulated by Prime Minister Modi in 2015 — notably first used in a speech in Mauritius. It prioritises maritime security, economic cooperation, sustainable development, and regional connectivity for island states and littoral nations.
In 2025, India expanded this to MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions), extending the vision to the wider Global South.
- SAGAR launched: March 2015, first articulated in Mauritius
- Five pillars: Security Cooperation, Trade and Economic Integration, Capacity Building and Disaster Management, Sustainable Development, Connectivity and Infrastructure
- MAHASAGAR (2025): Extends SAGAR to address traditional and non-traditional security threats across the Global South
- Mauritius is central to India's Indian Ocean island diplomacy — part of the "Neighbourhood First" extended neighbourhood policy
Connection to this news: The oil and gas G2G agreement is a direct operational manifestation of SAGAR/MAHASAGAR — India acting as the "net security provider" and preferred development partner for island states in the IOR. Mauritius' energy vulnerability amid the West Asia crisis makes this agreement a strategic anchor for the bilateral relationship.
Government-to-Government (G2G) Energy Agreements
G2G energy deals bypass private commodity markets and intermediaries, allowing sovereign entities to negotiate directly. These agreements typically offer price stability, assured supply volumes, and political goodwill.
- India has previously used G2G frameworks with countries like Sri Lanka and Bangladesh for energy cooperation
- G2G agreements are significant for small island nations that lack bargaining power in global energy markets
- They can include long-term supply contracts, concessional pricing, and joint infrastructure development
- The ongoing West Asia conflict disrupted roughly 12–15 million barrels/day of crude oil supply globally, making diversified supply channels critical for energy-dependent nations
Connection to this news: Mauritius is heavily dependent on imported petroleum for its energy needs. A direct G2G supply agreement with India insulates it from price volatility and supply disruptions caused by geopolitical shocks in West Asia, reducing dependence on spot markets and third-country intermediaries.
International Solar Alliance (ISA) and India's Clean Energy Diplomacy
The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is an India-led multilateral treaty-based organisation of solar-resource-rich countries, launched at COP21 (Paris, 2015). It works to mobilise solar energy investment and technology for developing and island nations.
- ISA headquarters: Gurugram, India
- Objective: Mobilise $1 trillion in solar investments by 2030
- Mauritius is a member of the ISA
- India has also been an active member of the Global Biofuels Alliance, another energy cooperation initiative
Connection to this news: India's support for Mauritius' floating solar project and the Henrietta solar plant are consistent with ISA commitments and India's broader climate diplomacy — combining traditional fossil fuel supply security with a clean energy transition pathway.
Key Facts & Data
- India-Mauritius bilateral relations: governed by a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA), signed in 2021 — India's first CECPA with an African nation
- Mauritius is strategically located in the Indian Ocean, making it significant for India's maritime security calculus
- 9th Indian Ocean Conference hosted in Mauritius (April 2026) — a multilateral platform for IOR dialogue
- India's oil and gas agreement: G2G structure, final stages of negotiation as of April 2026
- Floating solar project: first-of-its-kind in Mauritius, developed by an Indian PSU
- Strait of Hormuz disruption (2026 conflict): blocked ~12–15 million barrels/day, the largest oil supply shock on record, directly affecting small island energy importers like Mauritius
- Electric buses: final batch being handed over to Mauritius under Indian development assistance
- India has 100 community development projects active across Mauritius, Rodrigues, and Agalega