(Image source from: x.com/BJP4India)
During a two-day state visit to Mauritius, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with President Dharam Gokhool on Tuesday in Port Louis. He also paid tribute to Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, the founding father of Mauritius. This trip was undertaken at the invitation of Mauritian Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, who warmly welcomed Modi upon his arrival at the airport. The Indian leader was invited as the guest of honor to celebrate the 57th national day of Mauritius. Throughout his visit, Modi plans to engage with key leaders from Mauritius, and several agreements will be made to enhance collaboration in areas such as capacity building, trade, and the prevention of cross-border financial crimes. An Indian armed forces contingent will participate in the national day festivities, alongside a warship from the Indian Navy and the Akash Ganga skydiving team from the Indian Air Force.
Before departing for Mauritius, Prime Minister Modi expressed that his trip would mark the beginning of a “new and bright” chapter in relations between the two nations. In his statement before leaving, he expressed eagerness to work with Mauritius’ leadership to advance “our partnership in all its dimensions and reinforce our lasting friendship for the benefit and advancement of our peoples.” Modi emphasized, “Mauritius is not only a close maritime neighbor but also a vital partner in the Indian Ocean and a gateway to Africa. Our connection is rooted in history, geography, and culture... A profound mutual trust, a common belief in democratic values, and a celebration of our diversity amplify our strengths,” highlighting the shared pride derived from the deep historical ties between the two populations.
Over the course of his visit, PM Modi will engage with the Prime Minister and various senior officials and political leaders in Mauritius. He will also meet with members of the Indian community and officially open the civil service college and the area health center, both funded by Indian assistance. The Foreign Ministry announced that during the Prime Minister's visit, the Indian Navy and Mauritian authorities will finalize a technical agreement related to white shipping information exchange. Additionally, multiple agreements will be signed covering areas such as capacity building, bilateral trade, combating cross-border financial crimes, and supporting small and medium enterprises.
In addition, the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services will collaborate with the Prime Minister's Office of Mauritius by signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that establishes a framework for joint efforts in maritime zone management, ocean observation, and research. The Enforcement Directorate of India and the Financial Crime Commission of Mauritius are also set to finalize an MoU focused on tackling financial crimes. This agreement aims to bolster collaboration in intelligence sharing and technical support to fight against money laundering and associated offenses. The Prime Minister had previously visited Mauritius in both 2015 and 1998. The official Modi Archive account provided a look back at his October 1998 trip to "Mini India," when he served as the BJP National General Secretary and spoke at the International Ramayana Conference held in Moka. During his 2015 visit as Prime Minister, he introduced SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region), a framework for India's maritime cooperation within the Indian Ocean area.
India ranks among the primary trading partners of Mauritius, which achieved independence in 1968 after being a British and French colony. A significant factor contributing to their strong relationship is that people of Indian descent account for nearly 70% of the island's total population of 1.2 million. As the Prime Minister's visit approaches, India expressed its support for Mauritius in seeking a mutually beneficial agreement with the UK regarding the Chagos Islands situated in the Indian Ocean. This topic is expected to be a key point of discussion between Mr. Modi and Mauritian Prime Minister Ramgoolam. In October of the previous year, the UK declared its intention to transfer sovereignty over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius following a historic agreement established after more than fifty years.
