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Article 45/2024
India’s strategic interests in Mauritius, a crucial ally in the Indian Ocean region, face a grave threat as the Mauritius Labour Party (Parti Travailliste, or PTR) inches closer to a possible electoral victory. Backed by figures like Sherry Singh and Danesh Ellayah, both of whom have been embroiled in allegations of espionage and corruption linked to China, this political shift could mark the most significant loss for India in the region. Amid growing concerns about Huawei’s involvement in surveillance projects and the manipulation of key infrastructure, a PTR-led government could further cement China’s hold in Mauritius, dealing a major blow to India’s influence in the Indian Ocean.
This potential geopolitical shift comes at a critical time for India, already grappling with setbacks in nearby nations like the Maldives and Bangladesh, where China’s expanding influence has left India isolated. If Mauritius—a long-time ally—falls into the sphere of Chinese dominance, India’s regional strategy could face irreparable damage.
Mauritius: A Strategic Pillar in India’s Indian Ocean Strategy
Mauritius has been integral to India’s broader Indo-Pacific strategy, particularly due to its location along key maritime trade routes in the Indian Ocean. India’s investments in Mauritius, including the development of military facilities on the Agalega Islands, are part of its efforts to protect its maritime interests and monitor naval activities in a region increasingly influenced by China’s expanding footprint.
New Delhi’s partnership with Port Louis has been based on cultural ties, economic cooperation, and security collaboration. However, all of this is at risk with the growing involvement of China, both through its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the murky roles of key political actors who have been linked to Chinese intelligence operations.
Huawei, Danesh Ellayah, and Espionage Allegations: A Perfect Storm for Chinese Influence
Danesh Ellayah, a senior executive at Huawei and owner of DNS Consult, has emerged as a key figure in the espionage and corruption allegations shaking Mauritius. Ellayah’s role in advancing Huawei’s agenda in Mauritius has raised alarm bells, particularly given Huawei’s global reputation for espionage and cyber surveillance activities. Huawei’s involvement in Mauritius is part of a broader strategy by China to infiltrate critical telecommunications and infrastructure projects across the world.
Mauritius, like many other nations, has embraced China’s “Safe City” project—a vast surveillance initiative purportedly aimed at enhancing urban safety through advanced technology. However, there are growing concerns that this system, spearheaded by Huawei, is being utilized by China for extensive monitoring and surveillance of citizens and government officials alike. It is believed that under Ellayah’s leadership, Huawei has embedded backdoor systems into Mauritius’s telecommunications infrastructure, giving Chinese intelligence agencies access to sensitive data.
These actions have been viewed as part of a broader espionage network aimed at compromising the telecommunications infrastructure of countries strategically important to China. For India, the threat posed by Chinese infiltration of Mauritius’s data networks could lead to significant security vulnerabilities. China’s access to Mauritius’s telecommunications and surveillance systems, through the so-called "Safe City" project, could also compromise India’s naval operations in the region, severely undermining its security architecture.
Ellayah’s alleged involvement in corrupt practices to facilitate Chinese access to Mauritius’s data infrastructure represents a significant threat to the island nation’s sovereignty and security, and by extension, to India’s strategic interests in the region.
Sherry Singh’s Role: Aligning PTR with China
Sherry Singh, the former CEO of Mauritius Telecom, is another key figure closely aligned with the potential PTR government. Singh, who has already faced allegations of aiding Chinese espionage through Mauritius’s telecommunications infrastructure, has thrown his weight behind the PTR, further fuelling concerns of a political shift toward Beijing.
During Singh’s tenure as the head of Mauritius Telecom, reports emerged that he allowed foreign entities, suspected to be linked to China, access to sensitive data. This, combined with his strong support for the PTR, signals that a potential Ramgoolam-led government would likely prioritize Chinese interests over India’s. Singh’s backing of PTR not only strengthens the party’s chances but also highlights the growing influence of Chinese sympathizers within Mauritius’s political elite.
If PTR wins the election, with Singh playing a key role in the new administration, it could open the door for China to solidify its control over critical infrastructure in Mauritius. Such a development would be a significant setback for India, which has historically relied on Mauritius as a key ally in the Indian Ocean region.
The Broader Regional Context: India’s Setbacks in Maldives and Bangladesh
India’s potential loss of Mauritius must be viewed within the broader context of recent setbacks in its neighbourhood, particularly in Maldives and Bangladesh—two other Indian Ocean nations where China has made significant inroads.
1. Maldives: The 2023 election of Mohamed Muizzu, a pro-China leader, marked a sharp turn away from the pro-India stance of the previous administration under Ibrahim Solih. China’s heavy investment in Maldives infrastructure, notably through projects like the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge, has positioned Beijing as a dominant force in the archipelago. This leaves India increasingly isolated in a country that is key to its maritime security.
2. Bangladesh: While India has enjoyed strong ties with Bangladesh under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, China’s expanding influence in the economic sphere has been hard to ignore. Through major investments in infrastructure and energy, China is slowly becoming Bangladesh’s most significant economic partner, raising concerns in New Delhi about its ability to counterbalance Beijing’s influence in the region.
If India also loses Mauritius to China’s orbit, the cumulative effect of these setbacks would be catastrophic for India’s regional strategy. China’s "String of Pearls" strategy, which involves the establishment of a network of maritime bases and strategic partnerships across the Indian Ocean, would effectively encircle India, severely curtailing its ability to project power and safeguard its maritime interests.
The Consequences for India: Strategic, Economic, and Diplomatic Setbacks
If PTR, supported by Sherry Singh and Danesh Ellayah, comes to power and Mauritius shifts further into China’s sphere of influence, the consequences for India would be dire:
1. Strategic Vulnerability: India’s defence infrastructure, particularly its presence on the Agalega Islands, would be at risk. With China already increasing its presence in Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and the Maldives, losing Mauritius would give Beijing an additional outpost from which to monitor and control vital sea lanes.
2. Espionage and Surveillance Risks: Huawei’s deep involvement in Mauritius’s telecommunications systems, coupled with the "Safe City" surveillance project, would provide China with unprecedented access to sensitive data, including intelligence that could affect Indian military operations. If China can use Mauritius as a listening post for Indian Ocean naval activities, India’s entire security architecture in the region could be compromised.
3. Economic Competition: China’s financial power under the Belt and Road Initiative could further erode India’s influence in Mauritius’s economy. While India has made significant investments in the island nation, China’s ability to offer large-scale infrastructure projects would likely dwarf India’s efforts, pushing Port Louis further into Beijing’s orbit.
4. Diplomatic Isolation: The loss of Mauritius to China would mark yet another diplomatic failure for India in the region. With Maldives and Bangladesh already leaning towards Beijing, India would be left increasingly isolated, with China steadily increasing its dominance across the Indian Ocean.
India’s Response: A Diplomatic and Strategic Imperative
To counter this growing threat, India must take immediate action to strengthen its ties with Mauritius. This includes deepening economic ties, offering competitive alternatives to Chinese infrastructure projects, and expanding its cultural and diplomatic presence. India must also engage across political lines in Mauritius to ensure that its influence is not solely dependent on any one faction.
Furthermore, India should prioritize cybersecurity and intelligence-sharing with Mauritius to mitigate the risks posed by Huawei’s surveillance activities. Enhanced security cooperation, particularly in telecommunications infrastructure, could help India protect its interests and prevent Chinese espionage from undermining its regional strategy.
Conclusion: The Battle for Influence in Mauritius
The potential rise of PTR, backed by figures like Sherry Singh and Danesh Ellayah, represents a serious threat to India’s strategic interests in Mauritius and the broader Indian Ocean region. With China aggressively expanding its influence through investments, espionage, and infrastructure projects, India must act quickly to prevent a complete loss of influence in a region vital to its security.
If India fails to act, the consequences could be profound—not only for its relationship with Mauritius but for its entire Indian Ocean strategy. The stakes are high, and the coming months will be crucial in determining whether India can maintain its hold on one of its most important regional allies.
