Agalega Island

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Agalega Island

News: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Mauritius, H.E. Mr. Pravind Jugnauth, will jointly inaugurate the new Airstrip and St. James Jetty along with six community development projects at the Agalega Island in Mauritius.

About:
• Agalega Island is a dependency of Mauritius, consisting of two outer islands located in the Indian Ocean, about 1,050 km north of Mauritius Island. The North Island is home to the islands’ airstrip and the capital Vingt-Cinq.
• Control Over Agalega Island: Under the Constitution of Mauritius, Agalega is a constituent island of the Republic of Mauritius. It is managed by a company of the State of Mauritius, the Outer Island Development Corporation (OIDC), which provides everything from general supplies to water, electricity, and internet.

Geo-strategic significance:
• India’s Regional Influence: The construction of an airstrip and jetty on Agalega Island points to a rising India that plans to flex its muscles as a regional superpower. This development is seen as part of India’s strategy to counter China’s growing influence in the Indian Ocean region.
• Maritime Domain Awareness: The facilities on Agalega Island can help India expand its maritime domain awareness. This area is currently a blind spot for the Indian Navy, and by building a military facility on Agalega Island, India hopes to monitor maritime activities in this region more effectively.