Agalega Island: India's Strategic Foothold in the Indian Ocean

Agalega Island, a remote Mauritian territory in the western Indian Ocean, has emerged as a key node in India’s evolving maritime strategy. This paper explores how India’s infrastructure development on Agalega fits into its broader foreign policy objectives, particularly within the frameworks of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and the Indo-Pacific strategy. The study examines five critical dimensions: the island's contribution to India’s maritime posture, its impact on India–Mauritius relations, its alignment with India’s regional doctrines, global responses to India’s presence, and the apparent transition in India’s foreign policy from soft power diplomacy to strategic assertiveness. Using a qualitative approach that draws from policy documents, official statements, strategic analysis, and media reports, this article situates Agalega within the larger geopolitical contest for influence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The findings suggest that while India continues to emphasise developmental diplomacy and partnership, the Agalega initiative marks a calculated shift toward enhancing maritime power projection. The paper also highlights the need for transparent engagement with regional partners and affected communities to balance strategic imperatives with diplomatic sensitivity.