Uncertain Times

An uncertain world right now.

With all these active conflicts in the Middle East, Africa and Europe we are faced with the possibility of escalation of war. Recently many EU countries started re-arming. Also, the EU has put out an advisory statement for the population that they should stockpile at least three days’ worth of food, water and other essentials in the face of threats and crises. Since the Cold War days we have never been so close to World War 3. There is a lot of political sabre-rattling in the news.

So where does that leave Paradise Island in the face of world upheavel. Mauritius is seen as a non-aligned country (NAM 1973) but is it in reality ? The island has very close partnership ties with India who readily assists not only with grants and loans but with maritime assistance and military training. Then there is the soon to come agreement with the United Kingdom for a return of sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelagos wich includes the Diego Garcia military base. Recently in the press, with the U.S. President’s sabre-rattling against them, Iran countered by stating that if the U.S. attacked them they would target the Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean. That certainly would effectively threaten the Mauritius non-aligned position.

With these factors is Mauritius being slowly pushed out of the non-aligned situation ? These are uncertain times in which local political agendas could change. Everything affects everything and Paradise is not immune in this dangerous world chess game.