India to help Mauritius launch a satellite; extends support on Chagos

India will help launch a satellite for Mauritius, the announcement for which came during External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar's visit to the country. A project plan document has been exchanged between India's ISRO and its counterpart, the MRIC.

Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, standing alongside EAM Jaishankar said, "India is accompanying Mauritius in emerging sectors. Both our countries are working for a joint development of a satellite. A MoU establishing a framework of collaboration between ISRO & MRIC" has been signed.

Add WION as a Preferred Source

Once operational, the satellite will relay multi spectral imagery which will provide accurate and targeted data for land and sea surface monitoring. "Overall scope of India, Mauritius space cooperation will foster a new era which will allow sharing of data pertaining to our territory",PM Jugnauth pointed out.

An India Mauritius space portal that will provide value added services is also under works. India's support to the country comes even as it has reached out to other countries for space capacity building, including countrieslike Bhutan.

During EAM's visit, 12 India assisted projects in the field of education, healthcare,public amenities andsports were virtually inaugurated. Eightmore such facilities will be inaugurated in the next two months in Rodrigues and Agalega. The Indian minister also visited the site of the Civil Service College project in Réduit and complimented the Indian workers who are playing a key role in building it.

Meanwhile, India has extended support to Mauritius on the Chagos island issue. EAM Jaishankar said, " I would like to again assure you today that on the issue of Chagos, India will continue its consistent support to Mauritius in line with its principal stand on decolonization and support for sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations."

Chagos Archipelago remains under British occupation and is currently administered by it. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) both have ruled that British administration of the Archipelago is unlawful and that it should be returned to Mauritius.

The Mauritius PM thanked EAM Jaishankar for Delhi's support on the issue.

He said, "I had the opportunity to restate our deep gratitude to India's unflinching support for the long standing struggle of Mauritius to complete our decolonization process, so that we can effectively exercise our sovereignty over our entire territory, including Chagos".