Jaishankar On Two-Nation Tour: EAM To Attend 9th Indian Ocean Conference In Mauritius Followed By UAE Visit
EAM S Jaishankar will visit the Republic of Mauritius on April 9 and 10, 2026 to participate in the 9th Indian Ocean Conference. Image courtesy: RNA
In a significant diplomatic outreach, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday (April 9, 2026) embarked on a four-day visit to Mauritius and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), underlining India’s sustained engagement with key global partners. The visit gains added importance as it comes just two days after the key Iran-US truce.
At a time of shifting geopolitical equations, Jaishankar’s engagements are expected to reinforce India’s role as a stable and proactive global player, actively shaping conversations across regions, from the Indian Ocean to the Gulf.
How does the Mauritius leg reinforce India’s regional vision?
In the first leg of his visit (April 9-10, 2026), EAM Jaishankar will travel to Mauritius to attend the 9th Indian Ocean Conference and hold high-level talks with the island nation’s leadership. The discussions will focus on reviewing the entire spectrum of bilateral ties.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) highlighted that the visit reflects India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, its MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) vision, and its broader commitment to the Global South.
Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had unveiled the MAHASAGAR initiative during his Mauritius visit last year, positioning India as a key development and security partner in the Indian Ocean Region.
What role will the Indian Ocean Conference play?
On the sidelines of the conference, Jaishankar is expected to engage with counterparts from multiple participating nations. These interactions are likely to focus on regional security, maritime cooperation, and economic collaboration, areas which are seen as being critical to India’s strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific.
Such multilateral platforms also provide India an opportunity to expand its diplomatic footprint and build consensus on shared challenges.
Jaishankar UAE visit: What is on the agenda?
During the second leg (April 11-12, 2026), the External Affairs Minister will visit the UAE, where he will meet the country’s leadership to review and deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations. Key areas of focus are expected to include trade, energy security, investment, and defence cooperation.
Crucially, the evolving West Asia situation, especially in the aftermath of the Iran-US truce, is set to feature prominently in the discussions. The talks are likely to assess regional stability, security concerns, and the broader implications for India’s strategic and economic interests.
How does this visit reflect India’s wider global outreach?
Jaishankar’s back-to-back engagements in Mauritius and the UAE highlight India’s calibrated diplomatic strategy, strengthening neighbourhood ties while simultaneously deepening partnerships in geopolitically sensitive regions like West Asia. It further underscores India’s increasing emphasis on being an active stakeholder in global affairs.
The visit comes at a crucial juncture, with the Iran-US truce temporarily easing tensions in West Asia after weeks of conflict. This window of relative stability provides India an opportunity to engage key stakeholders like the UAE on future security frameworks, energy routes, and regional cooperation.
