Mauritius Deputy Foreign Minister Hambyrajen Narsinghen has expressed immense honor and excitement over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Mauritius, emphasizing the opportunity to further consolidate the “already excellent partnership” between the two nations.
Calling it a “special occasion,” Narsinghen revealed that all 34 ministers would be present at the airport to welcome PM Modi with full protocol and ceremonial grandeur. In an interview with media, he recalled PM Modi’s previous visit to Mauritius in 2015 and described India as a “role model” for his country in various fields. He lauded the leadership of Mauritius Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam, noting that the new government is a blend of experienced ministers and fresh faces.
On PM Modi’s visit, he stated, “Modiji is coming to Mauritius after more than 10 years. His last visit was in 2015. So, we have invited him and Modiji also invited our Prime Minister… During my last visit to India, in Odisha, I reiterated this invitation to the Prime Minister. But before that, our own government, through the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, and all the ministers, we have invited the great Prime Minister of your country. So, we are very pleased, extremely honoured, to have the presence of Modiji in Mauritius and for this very, very special occasion.”
PM Modi departed for Mauritius late Monday night for a two-day state visit. He will attend the National Day celebrations as the Chief Guest on March 12. The Ministry of External Affairs has stated that the visit aims to strengthen “India-Mauritius enduring ties.”
Narsinghen emphasized India’s role as a “traditional ally” of Mauritius and reiterated his government’s commitment to consolidating the relationship. He also highlighted the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA) between the two nations, stating that they would enhance the “already excellent relationship” through a strategic partnership.
Speaking about the visit’s focus, he noted, “For so many years, India has been a sort of traditional ally of Mauritius. And now, the new government, we are going to consolidate the already excellent relationship that exists between Mauritius and India. So, we’re going to consolidate that. And in fact, even above the traditional agreement in multiple fields, when we look at the bilateral relationship between Mauritius and India, this time we’re going to have a sort of enhanced program of cooperation.”
Narsinghen also pointed out that PM Modi and Mauritius share the same vision as a non-aligned nation and aim to safeguard the interests of the global community. “So, I’m sure it’s going to be a win-win situation for India and for Mauritius. But not only for India and Mauritius. I think Modiji, your Prime Minister, has the same vision, and Mauritius has the same vision as a non-aligned nation. And we want also to safeguard the interests of the whole world,” he said.
He further highlighted Mauritius’ bilingual and skilled workforce and emphasized the government’s commitment to human rights, including the formation of a constitutional review committee to strengthen human rights principles.
Before departing for Mauritius, PM Modi expressed his enthusiasm for engaging with the Mauritian leadership to elevate bilateral partnerships and enhance cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region. He described Mauritius as a “close maritime neighbor, 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,” PM Modi stated.
During his visit, PM Modi will meet the President and Prime Minister of Mauritius, hold discussions with senior dignitaries and political leaders, and interact with the Indian-origin community. He will also inaugurate the Civil Service College and the Area Health Centre, both developed with India’s grant assistance. Several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) are also expected to be signed during the visit, further solidifying India-Mauritius ties.