Prime Minister Narendra Modi has commenced a two-day visit to Mauritius, focusing on strengthening bilateral relations. He will participate in National Day celebrations and meet with top officials while formalizing key agreements in trade and capacity building. Modi will also inaugurate India-funded projects and address the Indian diaspora, highlighting deep ties between the two countries.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Mauritius on Tuesday for a two-day State Visit. His itinerary includes participation in the National Day celebrations as the chief guest and engaging in discussions with the island nation’s leadership. The visit aims to formalize agreements enhancing cooperation in trade, capacity building, and the fight against cross-border financial crimes, as reported by PTI.
Invited by Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam, PM Modi expressed optimism about this visit, viewing it as an opportunity to start a “new and bright” chapter in India-Mauritius relations. During his stay, he plans to meet with the Mauritian president, engage in discussions with Prime Minister Ramgoolam, and converse with senior officials and political leaders.
Additionally, Modi will interact with the Indian diaspora and inaugurate two India-funded projects: the Civil Service College and the Area Health Centre. He emphasized the importance of the visit, stating, “I look forward to engaging with the leadership of Mauritius to elevate our partnership in all its facets and strengthen our enduring friendship for the progress and prosperity of our peoples.”
On Wednesday, the celebration will include a contingent of Indian armed forces, featuring an Indian Navy warship and the Indian Air Force’s Akash Ganga skydiving team. Modi remarked, “Mauritius is a close maritime neighbour, a key partner in the Indian Ocean, and a gateway to the African Continent. We are connected by history, geography and culture.”
He highlighted the mutual strengths shared by both nations, rooted in democracy and cultural diversity. Modi noted that the enduring people-to-people connections between India and Mauritius are a significant source of “shared pride.” His previous visit occurred in 2015, and India remains one of Mauritius’s primary trading partners, with the Indian-origin population constituting nearly 70 percent of Mauritius’s 1.2 million residents.
Prior to Modi’s visit, India reiterated its support for Mauritius in the ongoing negotiations with the UK regarding the Chagos Islands dispute. This matter is expected to be a key discussion point between Modi and Prime Minister Ramgoolam, particularly following the UK’s announcement of plans to transfer sovereignty of the islands back to Mauritius after over fifty years under a historic agreement.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s State Visit to Mauritius symbolizes the strengthening of bilateral relations between the two nations. By participating in National Day celebrations and discussing prominent issues, Modi aims to enhance cooperation in various sectors. The commitment to mutual support, especially regarding the Chagos Islands, illustrates the deep-rooted connections between India and Mauritius, promising further collaboration in the future.
Original Source: www.onmanorama.com
