Prime Minister Modi Begins State Visit to Mauritius, Aims to Strengthen Ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a two-day State visit to Mauritius, attending National Day celebrations as Chief Guest. The visit seeks to bolster India-Mauritius relations through various initiatives and agreements, emphasizing mutual cooperation and security in the Indian Ocean Region.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi commenced a two-day State visit to Mauritius late Monday night, where he will serve as the Chief Guest at the National Day festivities on March 12. The Ministry of External Affairs emphasized that this visit aims to fortify the longstanding ties between India and Mauritius.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal remarked on this visit via a post on X, stating, “Strengthening India-Mauritius enduring ties! PM @narendramodi has embarked on a 2-day State visit to Port Louis, Mauritius. PM will participate as the Chief Guest at Mauritius’ National Day Celebrations & also meet Mauritian leadership & dignitaries.”

In his departure statement, PM Modi expressed his eagerness to engage with Mauritian leadership to enhance bilateral partnerships focusing on security and development within the Indian Ocean Region. He regards Mauritius as a “close maritime neighbour, key partner in the Indian Ocean and a gateway to the African continent.”

While speaking about his visit, Prime Minister Modi acknowledged the historical, cultural, and geographical connections shared between the two nations. He expressed faith that this visit would further cement the India-Mauritius relationship, stating, “We have made significant strides in the past ten years with people-centric initiatives.”

He also articulated his desire to enhance the bilateral partnership, emphasizing mutual growth and security through joint efforts and shared values, alluding to India’s Vision SAGAR. PM Modi’s visit is at the invitation of his Mauritian counterpart, Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, during which he will attend the National Day ceremonies, where an Indian military contingent and naval ship will participate.

Additionally, the Prime Minister will hold discussions with the President of Mauritius, Prime Minister, and other senior officials while interacting with the Indian-origin community. He is expected to inaugurate several initiatives, including the Civil Service College and the Area Health Centre, both funded by India, alongside signing several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs).

The MEA’s statement underlined the importance of the India-Mauritius relationship, highlighting shared historical and cultural ties, and reaffirmed the commitment of both nations to advance bilateral relations.

Indian High Commissioner to Mauritius, Anurag Srivastava, characterized the India-Mauritius relationship as “truly special” and anticipated significant agreements in maritime security and capacity building to be announced following discussions between the Prime Ministers.

In conclusion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Mauritius underscores the significant and enduring ties shared between the two nations. This diplomatic engagement highlights the commitment to enhance bilateral relations across diverse sectors, focusing on mutual growth, security, and cultural collaboration. The anticipated agreements and initiatives during this visit reflect a shared vision for strategic cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region, further strengthening the partnership.

Original Source: www.ndtv.com