Mauritius secures US and Mexican support to enhance Exclusive Economic Zone security

The State Partnership Programme Agreement with the New Mexico National Guard and the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement with the United States of America (USA), will contribute to strengthen the operational capabilities, resilience and preparedness of Mauritius in addressing contemporary security challenges through cooperation with trusted international partners.

The Prime Minister, Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam, made this statement yesterday, in reply to a Parliamentary Question in the National Assembly.

The Prime Minister recalled that the challenges of the Western Indian Ocean require collective action, thus the necessity of robust bilateral and multilateral partnerships. He emphasised that by collaborating with key global allies—including India, France, the United Kingdom, the USA, and the European Union—alongside international organisations such as the International Criminal Police Organisation and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Mauritius is actively working to strengthen its maritime security, enhance law enforcement, and improve disaster response capabilities.

These cooperative frameworks, he stressed, are vital to advance maritime domain awareness, conduct joint surveillance, and ensure long-term security in the Indian Ocean.

Pertaining to the State Partnership Programme Agreement, Prime Minister Ramgoolam informed that it was signed on 22 May 2026, with the objective to establish an enduring institutional partnership through professional exchanges, technical cooperation and capacity building. He further indicated that the Agreement creates no legal or financial obligations, and is centred on knowledge sharing and professional cooperation.

As regards the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement, the Prime Minister pointed out that it will be signed shortly, highlighting that the Agreement is an instrument to facilitate the reciprocal provision of logistic support between the Government of Mauritius and the USA during authorised activities such as joint exercises, training, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief operations and other mutually agreed cooperative engagements.

Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam ascertained that neither the State Partnership Programme Agreement nor the proposed Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement constitute a military alliance or defence treaty. There is no provision in any of these two agreements to authorise the establishment of foreign military bases, the permanent stationing of foreign military personnel, or the transfer of weapon, he added.

State Partnership Programme

The scope of the State Partnership Programme includes capacity building and professional training; humanitarian assistance, disaster preparedness and response; maritime and border security cooperation; cybersecurity and emerging security threats; and operational planning and crisis management.

Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement

Under the proposed Agreement, the support, supplies and services include the provision of food, water, fuel, temporary accommodation, transportation, medical services, training services, repair and maintenance services and port services where permitted by the national laws of both Parties. Such support may only be provided upon mutual agreement and on a reimbursable or equal-value exchange basis

02 July 2026

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Topics: Bilateral cooperation