🇲🇺MauritiusEast Africa
Foreign Minister Ritesh Ramful returns from US mission, discusses Chagos sovereignty and bilateral ties
via Le Mauricien1 min read
Foreign Minister Ritesh Ramful has returned from a mission to the United States, where he met with Under Secretary of State Christopher Landau. During discussions, Minister Ramful emphasized the strong relationship between his country and the United States across various sectors, including security. He clarified that relations with China are primarily limited to trade and culture, aiming to address concerns from adversaries regarding his country's sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago. He also highlighted that the head of security for his country is an Indian national, precluding security discussions with China. The Minister also met with a senator and representatives of two other senators who had expressed opposition to his country's sovereignty over the Chagos, seeking to clarify the situation and alleviate doubts. He indicated plans to continue engaging US representatives, many of whom are expected to visit his country in July for an African trade summit. Other topics included visa bond requirements, which will be reviewed, and the potential extension of AGOA. A statement from the US State Department confirmed that the Minister reaffirmed the United States' commitment to peace, prosperity, and strong bilateral relations. The Under Secretary of State and the Foreign Minister also discussed strengthening trade, investment, and economic ties between the United States and his country, as well as the critical importance of the Diego Garcia base for regional security.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Mauricien.
Mauritius has initiated the first phase of the Tax Inspectors Without Borders – Criminal Investigation TIWB-CI program in Plaine Magnien. This international collaboration aims to enhance the capabilities of Mauritian authorities in detecting, investigating, and prosecuting tax offenses through specialized technical assistance. The initial phase, running from July 20 to 24, will allow the MRA, the Registrar of Companies, the Ministry of Industry, SMEs and Cooperatives, and the Bank of Mauritius to assess their current mechanisms for combating tax crimes. This assessment will help identify any shortcomings and strengthen their investigative frameworks. The Mauritius Revenue Authority MRA benefits from this capacity-building program, which is jointly implemented by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development OECD, the United Nations Development Programme UNDP, the African Tax Administration Forum ATAF, and the World Bank.
Mauritius' trade deficit significantly widened in May, reaching Rs 22.3 billion compared to Rs 16.5 billion in May 2025. This annual deterioration is primarily due to a 19.7% increase in imports, which rose from Rs 26.4 billion in May 2025 to Rs 31.6 billion in May 2026. Concurrently, total exports decreased by 6.2%, falling from Rs 9.895 billion to Rs 9.282 billion. South Africa remains the top destination for Mauritian exports, accounting for 13.6% of the total, followed by the United States 10.8%, the United Kingdom 10.1%, France 10.1%, Madagascar 8.5%, and Spain 7.5%. For imports, China leads with 19.1%, followed by the Sultanate of Oman 14%, Belgium 9.6%, South Africa 6.6%, India 6.5%, and Singapore 6.5%.
Australia has substantially increased visa fees, transforming visas from administrative costs into instruments of migration policy and budgetary revenue. The Resident Return Visa saw a 201% increase, from 490 to 1,475 Australian dollars, while the Bridging Visa B rose by 203%, from 190 to 575 dollars. The temporary graduate visa, which cost 2,300 dollars in early 2026, doubled to 4,600 dollars in March, and further increased to 5,750 dollars in July, marking a 150% rise in six months. The student visa increased from 710 dollars in 2024 to 2,500 dollars in July 2026, a cumulative 252% increase in two years. These fees are generally non-refundable, meaning applicants pay for their applications to be examined, not for visa approval. The Australian Department of Home Affairs website confirms that fees can change and the applicable amount is that in effect at the time of application receipt. Officially, Canberra aims to manage migration flows, limit abuses, and make the international education system more sustainable. However, the scale of the increases far exceeds inflation and administrative processing costs, effectively creating a targeted tax on migrants. The measure is expected to generate approximately 764 million Australian dollars during the financial year, despite the international education sector contributing around 53.6 billion dollars to the Australian economy the previous year. This policy risks deterring students from Africa, South Asia, and small island states like