Prime Minister Narendra Modi has commenced a two-day visit to Mauritius to attend the 57th National Day celebrations as the guest of honour. His agenda includes discussions with the Mauritian leadership, signing various cooperation agreements, and engaging with the Indian community. Modi emphasized the longstanding historical and cultural ties between India and Mauritius, aiming to enhance bilateral relations further in sectors like trade and capacity building.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Port Louis, Mauritius, for a two-day state visit. This visit marks his attendance at the 57th National Day celebrations of Mauritius, where he is the guest of honour. His trip is a result of an invitation from Mauritius Prime Minister, Navinchandra Ramgoolam, who extended a warm welcome at the airport.
During his visit, Prime Minister Modi is expected to engage with the top leadership of Mauritius and sign multiple agreements aimed at enhancing cooperation in various sectors, including capacity building, trade, and efforts to combat cross-border financial crimes. Additionally, Indian armed forces will participate in the National Day celebrations, alongside a warship and the Akash Ganga skydiving team from the Indian Air Force.
In prepared statements, Modi expressed that his visit would forge a “new and bright” chapter in India-Mauritius relations. He emphasized the historical, geographical, and cultural ties between the two nations, highlighting mutual trust and shared values as foundational strengths in their partnership. Modi stated the significance of their long-standing people-to-people connections.
The agenda for Prime Minister Modi includes meetings with the President and Prime Minister of Mauritius, as well as discussions with senior dignitaries and political leaders. He plans to engage with the Indian community and inaugurate the civil service college and the area health centre, both funded by India.
A key memorandum of understanding is expected to be signed between Indian Navy and Mauritian officials regarding information exchange on white shipping. Moreover, the two nations will formalize agreements focusing on capacity building, trade, and collaboration in combating financial crimes, setting a framework for enhanced intelligence sharing in these areas.
Significant historical visits by Prime Minister Modi to Mauritius include those in 1998 as a BJP National General Secretary and in 2015 as the Prime Minister, during which he introduced the SAGAR doctrine for maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean. India maintains strong trade relations with Mauritius, partly due to the Indian-origin population making up almost 70 percent of the island’s 1.2 million inhabitants.
Before embarking on this visit, India expressed support for Mauritius in its negotiations with the UK regarding the Chagos Islands, anticipating the matter will be discussed during Modi’s meetings. Last October, the UK committed to returning sovereignty over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius after a lengthy period of administration.
In conclusion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Mauritius signifies an important milestone in strengthening diplomatic and bilateral relations between India and Mauritius. His engagements highlight the commitment to enhance cooperation in various sectors, notably in trade, capacity building, and combating financial crimes. The historical ties between the two nations and the significant presence of the Indian-origin population in Mauritius further underpin this partnership, promising a prosperous future for both countries.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
