Foreign relations of Mauritius
Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use British English Template:Politics of Mauritius Mauritius has strong and friendly relations with the West, with South Asian countries and with the countries of southern and eastern Africa. It is a member of the World Trade Organization, the Commonwealth of Nations, La Francophonie, the African Union, the Southern Africa Development Community, the Indian Ocean Commission, COMESA, and the recently formed Indian Ocean Rim Association.
Trade, commitment to democracy, and the country's small size are driving forces behind Mauritian foreign policy. The country's political heritage and dependence on Western markets have led to close ties with the European Union and its member states, particularly France, the colonial power until 1810, Mauritius' only immediate neighbour being Réunion, both an overseas department of France and an outermost region of the EU. Mauritius also maintains close ties with the United Kingdom, a former member EU state and the colonial power until 1968.
Considered part of Africa geographically, Mauritius has friendly relations with other African states in the region, particularly South Africa, by far its largest continental trading partner. Mauritian investors are gradually entering African markets, notably Madagascar and Mozambique. Mauritius coordinates much of its foreign policy with the Southern Africa Development Community and the Organisation of African Unity. The country is also a member of the Port Management Association of Eastern and Southern Africa (PMAESA).
Relations with France and India are strong for both historical and commercial reasons. High Commissions and foreign embassies in Mauritius include Australia, South Korea, the United Kingdom, People's Republic of China, Egypt, France, India, Madagascar, Pakistan, Russian Federation, Bangladesh, and the United States.
Mauritius is also a member of the International Criminal Court with a Bilateral Immunity Agreement of protection for the US-military (as covered under Article 98).
International disputes
Mauritius claims the entire Chagos Archipelago in the Indian Ocean and also claims the whole French-administered Tromelin Island.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Diplomatic relations
List of countries with which Mauritius maintains diplomatic relations:
Bilateral relations
| Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
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| Template:Flag | 1972 | See Bangladesh–Mauritius relations
Bangladesh and Mauritius share a common heritage in culture and politics. Diplomatic relations were established in 1972, soon after Bangladeshi independence. Both nations have rapidly growing trade ties and increasing investment and financial linkages. Bangladesh has a High Commission in Port Louis. The two countries are common members of the Indian Ocean Rim Association and the Commonwealth of Nations.
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| Template:Flag | 1967 |
Canada and Mauritius established diplomatic relations in 1967.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Both countries are members of the Commonwealth of Nations and La Francophonie.
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| Template:Flag | 15 April 1972 | See China–Mauritius relations
Under Chinese President Hu Jintao in 2010, an investment package of $750m was allocated to Mauritius to develop the Jinfei Special Economic Zone which consists of Template:Convert of land. Buildings of infrastructure and services primarily serving interests of Chinese companies operating the African region but would also eventually open up to foreign parties. The proposed investment package also includes development of advance logistic operations in Mauritius, construction of a university and an oceanographic research centre.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> This investment package is Mauritius' largest single foreign direct investment ever.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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| Template:Flag | 1 February 2001 |
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| Template:Flag | 12 March 1968 | See France–Mauritius relations
France has remained one of its biggest trading partners; in addition, the two countries share close cultural ties in language, media and literature.
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| Template:Flag | 23 February 1981 |
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| Template:Flag | 1 December 1992 |
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| Template:Flag | 12 March 1968 | See Mauritius–India relations
India and Mauritius established diplomatic relations in 1948. India has remained one of its biggest trading partners; in addition India has deep social and historical links with a large portion of the population of Mauritius, India is the country's second largest source of foreign assistance.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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| Template:Flag |
Both countries have signed many bilateral agreements.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| Template:Flag | See Kenya–Mauritius relations
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| Template:Flag | 27 August 1968 | See Madagascar–Mauritius relations
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| Template:Flag | 13 August 1986 | See Malaysia–Mauritius relations |
| Template:Flag | 30 July 1976 |
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| Template:Flag | 1969 | See Mauritius–Pakistan relations
Relations between Pakistan and Mauritius were first established in 1969. On November 30, 2007, the two countries signed a bilateral Preferential Trade Agreement.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
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| Template:Flag | 25 June 1974 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on July 30, 1976.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| Template:Flag | 17 March 1968 | See Mauritius–Russia relations
The Soviet Union and Mauritius established diplomatic relations on March 17, 1968.<ref name="treaties">Template:Cite book</ref> The Russian Federation has an embassy in Floreal, Mauritius, and Mauritius has an embassy in Moscow, which was opened in July 2003.<ref name="mauritiusmid">Template:Cite web</ref>
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| Template:Flag | 6 December 1993 | See Mauritius–South Africa relations
Relations between South Africa and Mauritius were established in 1992 with the establishing of Representative Offices in both countries. Full diplomatic relations were established in 1994. Upon South Africa's return to the Commonwealth, relations have been conducted at the level of High Commission. There is no visa requirements for South Africans visiting Mauritius.
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| Template:Flag | 3 July 1971 |
Mauritius and the Republic of Korea established Diplomatic Relations on July 3, 1971.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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| Template:Flag | 18 October 1976 | See Mauritius–Turkey relations
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| Template:Flag | 12 March 1968 | See Mauritius–United Kingdom relations
Mauritius established diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom on 12 March 1968.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>Template:Failed verification
The UK governed Mauritius from 1810 to 1968, when Mauritius achieved full independence. Both countries share common membership of the Commonwealth, the International Criminal Court, the United Nations, the World Health Organization, and the World Trade Organization, as well as the Eastern and Southern Africa–UK Economic Partnership Agreement. Bilaterally the two countries have a Double Tax Convention.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|author=HM Revenue and Customs|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mauritius-tax-treaties%7Cdate=20 October 2011|title=Mauritius: tax treaties|website=GOV.UK|access-date=20 October 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250731205413/https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mauritius-tax-treaties%7Carchive-date=31 July 2025|url-status=live}}</ref> |
| Template:Flag | 12 March 1968 | See Mauritius–United States relations
Official U.S. representation in Mauritius dates from the end of the 18th century. An American consulate was established in 1794 and was closed in 1911. It was reopened in 1967 and elevated to embassy status upon Mauritius' independence in 1968. Since 1970, the mission has been directed by a resident U.S. ambassador. In 2002, Mauritius recalled its ambassador to the United Nations for not accurately conveying his government's pro-American stance in the Security Council debate.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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| Template:Flag | 4 May 1994 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on May 4, 1994.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Both countries are members of La Francophonie.
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See also
References
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