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.