Prime Minister Narendra Modi has departed for a two-day state visit to Mauritius, where he aims to enhance bilateral cooperation and deepen strategic ties. During his visit, PM Modi will participate in the National Day celebrations of Mauritius as the chief guest and engage in high-level discussions with the country’s leadership.
In his departure statement, PM Modi emphasized the significance of Mauritius as a close maritime neighbor, a key partner in the Indian Ocean, and a gateway to the African continent.
“At the invitation of my friend, Prime Minister Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam, I am embarking on a two-day State Visit to Mauritius to participate in the celebrations of the 57th National Day of Mauritius. We are connected by history, geography, and culture. Deep mutual trust, a shared belief in the values of democracy, and celebration of our diversity are our strengths,” he stated.
Highlighting the robust people-to-people ties, PM Modi noted that significant strides have been made over the past decade with various people-centric initiatives.
“The close and historical people-to-people connect is a source of shared pride. We have made significant strides in the past ten years with people-centric initiatives,” he added.
PM Modi expressed confidence that his visit would build upon the strong foundations of the past and open a new chapter in India-Mauritius relations.
“I look forward to the opportunity to engage the Mauritius leadership to elevate our partnership in all its facets and strengthen our enduring friendship for the progress and prosperity of our peoples, as well as for security and development in the Indian Ocean Region, as part of our Vision SAGAR,” he said.
Key Highlights of PM Modi’s Visit:
- Participation in Mauritius’ National Day celebrations on March 12 as the chief guest.
- A contingent of Indian Defence Forces and an Indian Navy ship will take part in the celebrations.
- Meetings with Mauritius’ top leadership, including the President and Prime Minister.
- Inauguration of key infrastructure projects, including the Civil Service College and an Area Health Centre, both built with India’s grant assistance.
- Signing of multiple Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to strengthen cooperation across various sectors.
- Engagement with the Indian-origin community in Mauritius.
PM Modi last visited Mauritius in 2015, and this visit marks another step in reinforcing India’s Vision SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region), which focuses on fostering maritime security and development in the Indian Ocean region.
The Ministry of External Affairs had earlier stated that the visit would reaffirm the strong and enduring bond between the two nations and reinforce their shared commitment to expanding bilateral relations.