India and Mauritius Sign Long-Term Petroleum Supply Agreement

India has signed a long-term supply arrangement with Mauritius for petrol, diesel and aviation fuel, strengthening the island nation's energy security amid disruptions caused by the West Asia conflict, the Mauritian government said on Thursday.

The agreements were signed during Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Puri’s visit to Mauritius and include a government-to-government memorandum of understanding on oil and gas cooperation and a sales and purchase agreement with Indian Oil Corporation.

The two sides have not disclosed the volumes involved or other commercial and financial terms.

The sales and purchase agreement covers refined petroleum products including petrol, diesel and aviation fuel. Puri said Mauritius was the first country outside South Asia to conclude such an agreement with an Indian public-sector oil company.

The arrangement builds on discussions held earlier this year. During External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s visit to Mauritius in April, he had said India was finalising a government-to-government agreement for the supply of oil and gas to reinforce Mauritius’ energy security.

Jaishankar said the West Asia crisis had underscored the importance of strategic partnerships, particularly in the energy sector. The conflict and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for global oil shipments, had affected energy supplies and pushed up crude prices.

The broader MoU is intended to deepen cooperation in the oil and gas sector, adding to India's growing engagement with Mauritius on energy and sustainability.

India is also involved in Mauritius' renewable-energy push. During his April visit, Jaishankar said an Indian public-sector enterprise was developing the country's first floating solar power project. The two countries are also cooperating on renewable energy through initiatives including the 8 MW solar power plant at Henrietta, as well as through the International Solar Alliance and Global Biofuels Alliance.

The energy agreement comes against the backdrop of a broader expansion in bilateral ties. India and Mauritius elevated their relationship to an "Enhanced Strategic Partnership" during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Mauritius in March last year.

The partnership has since expanded across maritime cooperation, development assistance, healthcare, education and capacity building, with Mauritius also receiving Indian support for sustainable public transport, including e-buses.