By Shruti Menon Seeboo
In recent years, the relationship between Indonesia and Mauritius has flourished, marked by a series of significant milestones and collaborative efforts. From strengthening diplomatic ties to advancing economic cooperation, both nations have worked diligently to enhance their bilateral relationship. This partnership has seen substantial growth in various sectors, including trade, investment, and cultural exchange, contributing to a robust and mutually beneficial alliance.
As Indonesia and Mauritius continue to explore new avenues for cooperation, their shared commitment to addressing global challenges and promoting sustainable development stands at the forefront of their agenda. Technology, cultural exchanges, and joint initiatives in environmental conservation are just a few areas where their collaboration is making a tangible impact.
To delve deeper into these developments and future prospects, Platform Africa speaks with Lanang Seputro, the Charge d’Affaires of the Permanent Representative of Indonesia in Antananarivo, Republic of Madagascar. His insights provide a comprehensive overview of the evolving dynamics between Indonesia and Mauritius, and the strategic initiatives shaping their ongoing partnership. Excerpts:
- What key milestones have been achieved in recent years to solidify the diplomatic relationship between Indonesia and Mauritius? what are the primary areas of focus for future cooperation?
Indonesia and Mauritius, I may recall, already have a bilateral relationship more than forty years. It is a very much mutually beneficial relationship, I am sure. Indonesia and Mauritius have a strong relationship on economic sector that includes trade, investment, and regional cooperation. On the other side, both countries also enjoy a very good relationship on diplomatic fora, such as the United Nations. For instance, Mauritius voted for Indonesia as a member of United Nations Human Rights Council for 2015-2017 period and for United Nations Security Council for the period of 2019-2020. In 2021, Indonesia and Mauritius had a good collaboration on candidatures on International Maritime Organization (IMO) dan External Auditor for the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
2. How has economic cooperation evolved between Indonesia and Mauritius? Which sectors offer the most promising opportunities for investment and trade, and what strategies are in place to capitalize on these?
Actually, Indonesia and Mauritius have a very good economic relationship. The on-going discussion on Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) is the proof of this mutually beneficial relationship. In general, the discussion is going well and the both sides have already agreed on most of the articles or issues. The remaining issues, among others, are non-tariff measures, import licensing, customs procedures and cooperation, and dispute settlement. The Agreement is meant to facilitate the smooth flows of investment and goods between Indonesia and Mauritius. It also could boost the existing bilateral relationship. The finalization of the agreement is one the priorities of diplomatic interests of Indonesia.
Indonesia considers Mauritius as the gate to broaden access to African market. Indonesia understands that Mauritius has been serving as the hub for re-exportation form one regions to other regions in the world. Some Indonesian companies that operate on financial services and banking have been doing offshore investment and use Mauritius as a platform. Indonesia should have a close relationship in order to capitalize the strategic position of Mauritius.
3. How have cultural exchanges contributed to strengthening the people-to-people bond between Indonesia and Mauritius? What role does culture play in promoting bilateral understanding and cooperation?
I believe that cultural exchanges play a significant role in promoting bilateral relationship between Indonesia and Mauritius. Art festivals, culinary fairs, art and cultural exhibitons, music performances are activities that I and my team would do during my mandate as the Head of Mission of the Republic of Indonesia in Mauritius.
Through these programs, we can achieve, for sure, a better mutual understanding of each other. I can say that some people in Indonesia understand Mauritius as a country that has several scenic beaches and mountains as tourist destinations. I think Mauritius is more than that. Mauritius has multicultural people that pay high tolerance to each other, just as in Indonesia. On the other side, most Mauritius people know Bali as tourist destination, but some of them do not know that Bali is part of Indonesia.
My team at the Embassy are preparing plans to have several cultural events in Mauritius in the coming months. We are going to have a collaboration with Indonesian diaspora in Mauritius. There are more than one hundred Indonesian diaspora here in Mauritius. They have already committed to support the events.
4. How are Indonesia and Mauritius addressing shared environmental challenges through joint initiatives and cooperation? What specific steps are being taken to promote sustainable development in both countries?
We, Indonesia and Mauritius, are sharing environmental challenges nowadays, such as climate change, ocean or marine conservation, and biodiversity loss. To deal with these challenges, we should have a close regional or international cooperation. In this regard, Indonesia and Mauritius are member states of Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), with its headquarter is based in Ebene, Mauritius. I believe there are many projects under IORA cooperation schemes that have been conducted for the benefits of its member states.
Else, both Indonesia and Mauritius are actively participating in global cooperation, such as United Nations Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) dan Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Under these cooperations, both countries are committed to have best practices exchanges on management of natural resources and conserving the environment.
5. How are technology and digital platforms being leveraged to enhance cooperation between Indonesia and Mauritius in areas such as trade, investment, and people-to-people exchanges?
Technology and digital platforms are playing a key role in promoting cooperation between Indonesia and Mauritius. E-commerce platforms and information management system could make transactions among business players both in Indonesia and Mauritius become more easily done. Digital technology also allows business people in Mauritius and Indonesia to have business meetings without leaving their respective offices physically. They can meet virtually using a variety of virtual meeting platforms. Of course, this technology could help saving costs in doing business.
This digital technology could also serve as a bridge in connecting people who living in separated places, like, ones in Mauritius and others in Indonesia. In some events in Mauritius, I met and talked to Indonesian diaspora living in Mauritius and asked them how they communicate with their relatives in Indonesia. They said that currently with the advancement of digital and information technology, they can simply use their mobile phones to communicate with their loved ones in Indonesia, both through voice and video calls or conferences. They also use these means of communications not only for social conversations, but some use them also for doing business. Also, communication among Indonesian diaspora here in Mauritius become more easily done.
6. What are key priorities for educational and research collaboration between Indonesia and Mauritius? How can both countries foster talent exchange and joint research projects?
I would say that the key priorities for educational and research collaboration between Indonesia and Mauritius are, among others, promoting cooperation and exchanging best practices on science and technology and capacity building programs to encourage innovations. For years, Indonesia has been providing scholarship programs for students from other countries. Many foreign students benefited from these programs. Hopefully, more and more students from Mauritius could also get benefits from these programs.
We can also encourage relevant education and research institutions both in Indonesia and Mauritius to have more kinds of cooperation, such as students or researchers exchange programs. Through this, we can strengthen our existing bilateral cooperation.
7. How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the bilateral relationship between Indonesia and Mauritius? What lessons have been learned, and how can both countries collaborate to strengthen healthcare system?
The COVID-19 pandemic has given us a lot of lessons for all of us across the world. The so-called locked down system applied by majority countries in the world during that period of time has reminded us that we do need each other to live. Only by having a solid collaboration we can find the best solutions. The search of vaccine to fight covid needed cooperation of many countries. Indonesia is one of them that encouraging cooperation on promoting better healthcare system, not only to fight covid, but also for other health problems.
With this spirit, Mauritius and Indonesia can have a close cooperation to strengthen healthcare system for the mutual benefits. Trainings for both medical and paramedical staff can be part of the scope of the cooperation. Again, exchanges on best practices in healthcare system can also be beneficial in fostering the relationship between Indonesia and Mauritius.
8. ASEAN – Mauritius Relations: How does Indonesia view the potential for enhanced cooperation between Mauritius and ASEAN? What specific areas of collaboration could be explored to mutual benefit?
As a regional grouping, ASEAN is seeing an increasingly interests from other regional grouping and major states to have a closer cooperation. In the context of Mauritius, we noted that, back in to the year of 2005, Mauritius has submitted a proposal to be the observer of ASEAN. Unfortunately, the time is not quite right for ASEAN to study more in depth this proposal because at the same time ASEAN was busy with the enhancement of its members. However, I believe that a closer cooperation between ASEAN and Mauritius still can be done.
Indonesia considers that Mauritius can be a beneficial partner to promote the interests of ASEAN in the region of Indian Ocean Rim. I am aware that there are around 350 to 400 people of ASEAN diaspora living in Mauritius. With this, we have a strong foundation to enhance a mutual relationship between Mauritius and ASEAN countries through people-to-people cooperation. Art and cultural performances, culinary festivals, and music performances are among activities that can be done to fill in the relationships between Mauritius and ASEAN.
9. As a leading member of ASEAN, how does Indonesia contribute to the bloc’s overall goals and objectives? What roles does Indonesia sees for Mauritius in ASEAN’s future development?
As one of five founding countries of ASEAN in 1967, Indonesia has played a key role in shaping the vision, direction and goals of ASEAN, as well as in promoting regional integration, security and stability in the Southeast Asian region. Indonesia is also strengthening cooperation with ASEAN member countries in terms of handling security issues such as terrorism, piracy, and transnational crimes.
Mauritius can be a strategic partner for Indonesia in continuing its key role in ASEAN. Having a good and close relationship with Mauritius that has advantages such as political stability, sustained economic growth, and a safe place for investment, Indonesia, I believe, could bring opportunities for more collaborations.
10. How do Indonesia and Mauritius collaborate within ASEAN and other regional forums to address shared challenges such as maritime security, climate change, and economic integration?
We are all aware that both Mauritius and Indonesia are members of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). Through this organization, Mauritius and Indonesia, among other member states, are committed to promote any actions that can be used to deal with the shared challenges, such as maritime safety and security, disaster risk management, and fisheries management.
In the maritime sector, Indonesia continues to encourage the strengthening of maritime security cooperation, especially in tackling the issue of illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUUF).
11. How does Indonesia view the upcoming ASEAN Day celebrations in Mauritius? What opportunities does this event present for strengthening bilateral ties and promoting regional cooperation?
In Mauritius, there are more than three hundred people with ASEAN member countries’ nationality. They established an ASEAN Community in Mauritius and I believe that Mauritius provides its good offices and best services to the community in doing their activities.
This year they held a community event in commemorating the 57th Anniversary of ASEAN, which attended not only by the ASEAN community in Mauritius, but also dignitaries, such as Secretary General of IORA and the Ambassadors of Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand respectively. This event is one of the testimonies that Mauritius could serve as an important and strategic partner for ASEAN to explore opportunities for collaboration in various fields in the coming years.
12. How can Indonesia and Mauritius leverage their respective strengths to contribute to ASEAN’s vision of united, peaceful, and prosperous Southeast Asia? What specific areas of cooperation could be explored to achieve this goal?
Both Indonesia and Mauritius are committed also to engage on the development of the Blue Economy. During its chairmanships of ASEAN in 2023, Indonesia has emphasised that the blue economy is playing key role in sustaining the future of ASEAN. Indonesia also identified both the steep challenges, and the abundant potential associated with the blue economy. International and inter-sectoral cooperation is needed to fully leverage the capacity of blue economy for a more inclusive and equitable future.
Indonesia and Mauritius are both IORA member states. In IORA we have priority areas and cross-cutting issues, which include, among other, Blue Economy. The Blue Economy initiative, both within ASEAN and IORA, is becoming a pivotal force, driving sustainable socio-economic growth among its member states. It strives to encourage development, and at the same time, safeguarding marine resources.
This describes how a triangular scheme, that is, ASEAN, Indonesia, and Mauritius, can go hand-in-hand to create many opportunities for collaborations in many fields. Within this context, I would say that both Indonesia and Mauritius are already in the same page in how to address the shared challenges, and it makes it easier for us to enhance our cooperation.
