Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed India’s support for Mauritius’ sovereignty over the Chagos Islands during his state visit to the island nation. His statement comes as Mauritius pushes for a fresh agreement on the strategically significant archipelago,

Indian officials organising Modi's trip to the island nation said the settling of the Chagos sovereignty issue was welcome news for New Delhi, which has historically backed Mauritius claims over the islands, and more recently supported America's presence in the Indian Ocean to check China's influence.

Modi’s visit comes amid efforts to step up engagement with an Indian Ocean country of strategic importance where Beijing’s presence is growing

As he embarks on a two-day trip to Mauritius, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the visit will open a "new and bright" chapter in the ties between the two nations. Modi is visiting Mauritius on March 11 and 12 at the invitation of Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam primarily to grace the island nation's national day celebrations.