India is expanding its presence in the western Indian Ocean by constructing military infrastructure on Mauritius’ Agalega Island. A 10,000-foot runway and a jetty have been built on the island, which is located more than 1,100 kilometers north of Mauritius’ main island. Large hangars have now been built to house the Indian Navy’s P-8I submarine-hunting aircraft, and many more are being built next to the newly built runway.
The hangars “measure 180 feet long and 200 feet wide — large enough to house large military aircraft like India’s P-8I Poseidon, which measures 123 feet in length and has a wingspan of 126 feet,” according to the press release. This development confirms what maritime security experts have long suspected: India intends to station its long-range surveillance aircraft, the P-8I, on the island.
China’s presence in the western Indian Ocean is rapidly expanding. Apart from establishing its first foreign military base in Djibouti, it has made significant investments in African infrastructure, particularly ports. Many of these ports are on Africa’s eastern coast, which lies in the western Indian Ocean, and could become Chinese outposts in the future.
About Agalega Islands
The small, remote Mauritian island of North Agalega, located 1,122 kilometers north of Mauritius in the southwestern Indian Ocean, is currently a hive of construction activity. In 2015, India sought access to the islands in order to establish an air and naval staging point for surveillance of the southwest Indian Ocean, similar to facilities operated by other nations, such as the joint US-UK base at Diego Garcia.
India sees the new base as critical for facilitating air and surface maritime patrols in the southwest Indian Ocean, as well as serving as an intelligence outpost. This new satellite imagery shows the size and capabilities of this new facility. The project will include a new airport, port, logistics, and communication facilities, as well as “any other facility related to the project.” So far, both India and Mauritius have kept project details under wraps.
Also read: 10 Indian Military Bases Outside India
India has long had a close security relationship with Mauritius, which has helped India maintain its dominant position in the southwest Indian Ocean. Ethnic ties and a shared Hindu religion with many Mauritians strengthen the relationship. This has prompted commentators to refer to Mauritius as the “Little India” of the southwest Indian Ocean, as evidenced, in part, by Indian funding of major infrastructure projects and the provision of credit lines. Indian officials also hold key security positions in the Mauritian government, including National Security Advisor and Chief of the Mauritius Coast Guard.
This base on Agalega will strengthen India’s presence in the southwest Indian Ocean and facilitate the country’s power projection ambitions in the region. As new imagery of Agalega becomes available in the coming months, the full scope and capabilities of this facility will become clear.
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