India deepens naval ties with Mauritius and showcases army presence in Côte d'Ivoire
Admiral Krishna Swaminathan spent four days in Mauritius to strengthen naval cooperation, while an Indian Army unit marched in Côte d'Ivoire’s independence parade.
From Aug 10 to 13, Admiral Krishna Swaminathan led a four-day official tour of Mauritius, engaging senior Mauritian officials on topics ranging from sea-lane security to capacity-building and joint exercises, reinforcing a strategic partnership that has included shared EEZ patrols and participation in regional naval forums. The visit signals India’s intent to strengthen its maritime footprint in the Indian Ocean Region, building on years of cooperation between the Indian Navy and the Mauritius National Coast Guard.
In a parallel move, an Indian Army artillery contingent of 60 personnel was airlifted by an IAF IL-76 to Abidjan to march in Côte d'Ivoire’s 66th Independence Day parade on Aug 7, an event attended by President Alassane Ouattara and Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh. The Ivorian ceremony also hosted leaders from Guinea, Gabon and Benin. This deployment comes less than 18 months after India opened a defence wing in Abidjan, positioning the country as a key training partner for Côte d'Ivoire. Together, the naval visit and the parade participation illustrate New Delhi’s expanding defence diplomacy across the African continent and the wider Indian Ocean.
Why it matters
It shows India expanding its security partnerships in Africa and the Indian Ocean, affecting regional power dynamics.
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