AGALEGA - GEOGRAPHY News: India-built airstrip inaugurated in Agaléga, Mauritius: Its strategic significance vis-a-vis Maldives and China

AGALEGA
- GEOGRAPHY

News:
India-built airstrip
inaugurated in Agaléga, Mauritius: Its strategic significance vis-a-vis
Maldives and China

 

What's
in the news?

      
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mauritius
Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth virtually inaugurated an air strip and a jetty
to ensure maritime security and connectivity to Mauritius’ Agalega islands.

 

Key
takeaways:

      
PM
Modi said the two countries are working actively towards ensuring security,
prosperity and stability in the Indian Ocean region.

      
These projects will “enhance the island’s capacity and capabilities in marine
surveillance and security, while also meeting development objectives”.

      
PM Modi flagged concerns over challenges
in the Indian Ocean region and said India
and Mauritius are “natural partners” in the maritime domain to deal with them.

 

Agalega
Islands:

      
Agalega island lies approximately 650
nautical miles (1,050 km) north of Mauritius.

      
It is a group of two islands with a total
area of 26 sq km and a native population of about 300 people.

 

Significance
of Agalega Islands:

































      
The development of the Agalega Islands is
in the socio-economic and national security interest of Mauritius, and also
aligns with India’s maritime vision.