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Prime Minister Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam met with Ambassador Shyam Saran to discuss the MAHA SAGAR initiative and maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean. They also addressed the upcoming Indian Ocean Conference 2026, focusing on regional security and economic diversification through AI and digital technologies.
Africa-Press – Mauritius. Ambassador Shyam Saran, former Foreign Secretary of India, paid a courtesy call, today, on the Prime Minister, Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam, at the New Treasury Building in Port Louis.
Discussions focused on the MAHA SAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) initiative, India’s 2025 maritime doctrine aimed at fostering enhanced cooperation among Indian Ocean Region countries. Exchanges also covered the evolving situation in the Middle East, maritime safety in the Indian Ocean, and emerging opportunities in Artificial Intelligence. In this context, emphasis was laid on the Special Economic Zone at Côte d’Or as a flagship project geared towards advancing AI, digital technologies and high-tech manufacturing, and contributing to economic diversification.
The forthcoming Indian Ocean Conference 2026, scheduled to be held in Mauritius from 10 to 12 April 2026, also featured in the discussions. The Conference, to be hosted by the India Foundation in collaboration with the Government of Mauritius, will be held under the theme “Collective Stewardship for Indian Ocean Governance” and will focus on regional cooperation, security and the blue economy.
Ambassador Saran is a distinguished diplomat and policy expert who has held key positions, including Foreign Secretary of India and Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Nuclear Affairs and Climate Change. Following his retirement from public service, he led the Research and Information System for Developing Countries and chaired the National Security Advisory Board.
Mr Shyam Saran currently serves as President of the India International Centre and is an Honorary Senior Fellow at the Centre for Policy Research. An accomplished author, he has published How India Sees the World and How China Sees India and the World. In recognition of his distinguished service, he was conferred the Padma Bhushan in 2011 and the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star in 2019.
The Indian Ocean has long been a strategic area for maritime trade and security, with nations recognizing the importance of cooperation in this region. Initiatives like MAHA SAGAR aim to enhance collaboration among Indian Ocean countries, addressing challenges such as maritime safety and emerging technologies. The upcoming Indian Ocean Conference 2026 in Mauritius will further emphasize these themes, fostering dialogue on governance and sustainable development in the region. Historical ties between India and Mauritius have laid a foundation for ongoing discussions on security and economic partnerships.
