AGALEGA – Amid the growing influence of many countries including China in the Indian Ocean, India reportedly building a secret military base in the Mauritian island, Al Jazeera reported citing satellite imagery, financial data and on-the-ground evidence.
The Qatar-based publication in its exclusive report revealed that its Investigative Unit found the construction of two naval jetties and a large runway in Agalega [some 12 kilometres long and 1.5 kilometres wide island] that will certainly be used for maritime patrol missions by the Indian navy.
The report quoting experts said the development on the remote Island is almost certainly for military purposes as the Indian Ocean is increasingly becoming a hotspot to expand geopolitical influence for many states.
The startling revelations surfaced for the first in 2018 but later Mauritian authorities and India had denied the reports clarifying that the infrastructure is only to benefit the locals.
Report revealing the significance of joint venture said the region is the perfect spot for a military base for India that can support their ships, and it has areas that can be used as launching pads for military operations. Meanwhile, the report further revealed that dozen bulk carriers travelled from Indian ports to Island in Mauritius to deliver construction materials.
Aircraft, as of now, use an 800-metre landing strip on Agalega while the new under construction airstrip can be able to receive huge jets.
In the year 2015, India and Mauritius made a deal on ‘upgradation of infrastructure for improving sea and air connectivity at the Outer Island of Mauritius’ contrary to what media reports said about the joint venture.
Earlier this year, Mauritius PM during a parliament session also negated the construction of an Indian military base. “Let me reiterate, most emphatically and in unequivocal terms, that there is no agreement between Mauritius and India to set up a military base in Agaléga”, he clarified.
The report also mentioned that India’s Ministry of Defence and Ministry of External Affairs did not respond to comment on the development when approached.
In 2019, Indian Prime Minister Modi and Maldivian President jointly inaugurated the Coastal Surveillance Radar System built by India and a composite training facility of the Maldives National Defence Force.
The project assumes significance as China sees the Maldives as key to its Maritime Silk Road project in the Indian Ocean as it has already acquired the Hambantota port in Sri Lanka.
India earlier expressed concerns when China acquired its first overseas base in 2017 in Djibouti [a country located in the Horn of Africa], and to counter that it mulled forming foreign military bases.
Experts believe that a military facility in Mauritius will help India for tracking ships near the Mozambique Channel and it will also provide a useful location for communication and electronic intelligence collection.
Daily Pakistan Global Web Desk
KARACHI - Following are the foreign currency exchange rates for US Dollar, Saudi Riyal, UK Pound Sterling, U.A.E. Dirham, European Euro, and other foreign currencies in Pakistan open market on February 4, 2023 (Saturday).
Source: Forex Association of Pakistan. (last update 09:00 AM)
Currency | Symbol | Buying | Selling |
US Dollar | USD | 279.9 | 283.2 |
Euro | EUR | 300.98 | 301.58 |
UK Pound Sterling | GBP | 337.01 | 337.71 |
U.A.E Dirham | AED | 75.14 | 75.44 |
Saudi Riyal | SAR | 73.55 | 73.85 |
Australian Dollar | AUD | 189 | 192 |
Bahrain Dinar | BHD | 712.72 | 720.69 |
Canadian Dollar | CAD | 200 | 202.2 |
China Yuan | CNY | 39.67 | 39.73 |
Danish Krone | DKK | 39.33 | 39.73 |
Hong Kong Dollar | HKD | 34.19 | 34.54 |
Indian Rupee | INR | 3.28 | 3.39 |
Japanese Yen | JPY | 2.5 | 2.54 |
Kuwaiti Dinar | KWD | 878 | 887 |
Malaysian Ringgit | MYR | 62.83 | 63.43 |
New Zealand Dollar | NZD | 173.25 | 175.25 |
Norwegians Krone | NOK | 26.79 | 27.09 |
Omani Riyal | OMR | 696.08 | 704.08 |
Qatari Riyal | QAR | 73.62 | 74.32 |
Singapore Dollar | SGD | 204 | 206 |
Swedish Korona | SEK | 25.61 | 25.91 |
Swiss Franc | CHF | 291.69 | 294.19 |
Thai Bhat | THB | 8.15 | 8.30 |
KARACHI – The price of a single tola of 24-karat gold in Pakistan is Rs 205,200 on Saturday. The price of 10 grams of 24k gold was recorded at Rs175,930.
Likewise, 10 grams of 22k gold were being traded for Rs167,318 while a single tola of 22-karat gold was being sold at Rs 195,157.
Note: The gold rate in Pakistan is fluctuating according to the international market so the price is never been fixed. The below rates are provided by local gold markets and Sarafa Markets of different cities.
City | Gold | Silver |
Lahore | PKR 205,200 | PKR 2,430 |
Karachi | PKR 205,200 | PKR 2,430 |
Islamabad | PKR 205,200 | PKR 2,430 |
Peshawar | PKR 205,200 | PKR 2,430 |
Quetta | PKR 205,200 | PKR 2,430 |
Sialkot | PKR 205,200 | PKR 2,430 |
Attock | PKR 205,200 | PKR 2,430 |
Gujranwala | PKR 205,200 | PKR 2,430 |
Jehlum | PKR 205,200 | PKR 2,430 |
Multan | PKR 205,200 | PKR 2,430 |
Bahawalpur | PKR 205,200 | PKR 2,430 |
Gujrat | PKR 205,200 | PKR 2,430 |
Nawabshah | PKR 205,200 | PKR 2,430 |
Chakwal | PKR 205,200 | PKR 2,430 |
Hyderabad | PKR 205,200 | PKR 2,430 |
Nowshehra | PKR 205,200 | PKR 2,430 |
Sargodha | PKR 205,200 | PKR 2,430 |
Faisalabad | PKR 205,200 | PKR 2,430 |
Mirpur | PKR 205,200 | PKR 2,430 |
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