India-Mauritius Summit, Ignites Possibilities
India-Mauritius Summit 2025 Sets a New Direction for Global Trade and Africa-Focused Growth
The India-Mauritius Summit 2025 marked a defining moment in international trade collaboration, bringing together global leaders, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to accelerate economic partnerships between India, Mauritius, and the African continent. Organised under the leadership of the India Africa Trade Council – Mauritius, the summit reinforced Mauritius’ strategic role as a powerful gateway for Indian enterprises expanding into Africa.
The India-Mauritius summit was led by Mr. Sangeet Sejpal, Honorary Trade Commissioner, India Africa Trade Council – Mauritius, whose vision and leadership underscored the next phase of structured, policy-aligned, and opportunity-driven global trade. Addressing international delegates, Mr. Sejpal highlighted the urgent need for decisive trade frameworks that empower businesses to scale beyond borders with confidence, compliance, and long-term sustainability.
The India-Mauritius summit featured distinguished guest speakers, including Mr. Mookhesswur Choonee, Former High Commissioner of Mauritius and Advisor to the Prime Minister of Mauritius, who shared valuable insights on diplomatic cooperation, policy alignment, and Mauritius’ role in strengthening India–Africa trade relations. Also addressing the summit was Dr. Asif Iqbal, President, IETO – International Economic Trade Organisation, who emphasised the importance of multilateral economic collaboration, trade innovation, and global institutional partnerships in driving sustainable economic growth across emerging markets.
In his address, Mr. Sejpal emphasised that Mauritius stands at the crossroads of global opportunity, offering a stable regulatory environment, strategic trade agreements, and direct access to over 50 African markets. He reaffirmed that the summit’s mission was not only to encourage trade dialogue but to deliver clear execution pathways for Indian MSMEs, exporters, and investors seeking expansion into Africa.
Mauritius as Africa’s Gateway
The India-Mauritius Summit 2025 underlined how Mauritius can help Indian businesses reach fast-growing markets in Africa, where demand and consumer spending are rising strongly. Many experts see Mauritius as a stable and trusted entry point for Indian investors, especially after the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA) between India and Mauritius came into force in 2021. This deal has cut tariffs and opened doors for services trade, making it easier for goods and ideas to flow.
Mauritius links India to big African groups like COMESA, ECOWAS, and SADC through its treaties. These ties let investors tap into markets with over 1.3 billion people. Indian firms in health, farming, and tech now use Mauritius to set up shops and avoid red tape.
Mauritius’ incentives For Foreign Investors Announced in 2025
- Premium Investor Certificates for large projects in renewables, finance, pharma, education, and ocean economy, with tax breaks and fast permits.
- PIC extension to creative industries like concert venues and theatres, offering tax advantages.
- Seven new investment schemes for innovation, sustainability, and financial services.
- 80% tax exemption for Robotic and AI advisory services firms meeting substance rules.
- 100% tax exemption on virtual assets and token sales for fintech and blockchain.
- R&D and innovation grants/tax deductions in health, tech, green energy, and digital sectors.
- Fast-track permits for foreign research labs and high-tech projects.
- Freight rebates and export guarantees for trade-focused investors.
- Tax incentives for Special Economic Zone infrastructure development.
- Residence by investment via real estate and other thresholds for high-net-worth investors.
Role of India – Africa Trade Council
The India Africa Trade Council plays a key role in this effort, as it was created to support trade and business cooperation between Indian and African partners through networking, trade data, and delegations. Over the last few years, it has helped organise meetings, trade missions, and special trade commissions to bring together business leaders from India and several African regions. Mauritius has become more visible in these dialogues as a financial and trade hub that connects India with many African countries through its treaties and memberships in regional blocs.
Under the leadership of the India Africa Trade Council – Mauritius, the India–Mauritius summit was built on this platform by focusing on how global trade can support jobs, investment, and long-term partnerships between India, Mauritius, and Africa. This approach matches India’s wider policy, where Africa is treated as a key partner for future growth, skills cooperation, and joint projects in sectors like health, agriculture, and services.
Leadership and Key Speakers
The India–Mauritius summit was led by Mr. Sangeet Sejpal, whose role reflects the council’s model of appointing trade commissioners and advisors across various regions to support outreach and business facilitation. Such commissioners help channel on-ground feedback from businesses, making sure that trade ideas are matched with practical policies and real market needs. This kind of structured leadership is important for small and medium enterprises, which often need trusted local guidance before entering new markets.
Mr. Sejpal stressed the need for clear and decisive trade frameworks, in line with the current push to simplify cross-border trade rules so that companies can avoid confusion and delays. Councils like IATC and IETO have been working on advisory services to close this knowledge gap on regulations, taxes, and risks.
Mr. Mookhesswur Choonee’s diplomatic experience reflects the long history of close India–Mauritius relations built on shared culture and people-to-people links. CECPA gives Indian exporters better market access and links to wider African markets. Dr. Asif Iqbal has built trade bridges through councils and offices connecting India to Africa and beyond, pushing for global networks.
Strategic Discussions and Incentives
Key strategic discussions at the India-Mauritius summit focused on establishing and scaling businesses in Mauritius, government-backed trade facilitation, high-impact export collaborations, and innovation-driven strategies for sustainable economic growth. Mauritius offers fresh incentives from 2025, like Premium Investor Certificates for big projects in renewables and tech, with tax breaks and fast permits. There are also 80% tax exemptions for AI firms and 100% on virtual assets.
These match global best practice, where agencies offer single-window support. The India-Mauritius summit turned diplomatic goodwill into real business chances by linking leaders and resolving hurdles.
The India-Mauritius Summit 2025 emerged as a high-impact platform for leadership-level engagement, connecting ministers, diplomats, and business heads. It built trust and shared success stories to speed up deals. The India Africa Trade Council – Mauritius, under Mr. Sejpal, reaffirmed its commitment to advisory, trade ease, and market entry. This positions India and Mauritius as central pillars in Africa’s economic future, offering Indian MSMEs a clear path backed by strong ties.
