Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting Mauritius on March 11-12 to enhance bilateral relations, attending national celebrations and engaging with leadership. The visit underscores mutual ties, shared democratic values, and economic cooperation, including a historic trade agreement. Participation by Indian armed forces highlights the strong maritime partnership and commitment to regional security.
During a scheduled two-day visit to Mauritius on March 11 and 12, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized that this visit aims to establish a “new and bright” chapter in the bilateral relations between India and Mauritius. Modi will attend the national day celebrations at the invitation of Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam.
In a pre-departure statement, Modi expressed his eagerness to engage with Mauritian leadership to enhance the partnership across various sectors and to reinforce the enduring friendship between the two nations for the mutual progress and prosperity of their peoples.
The celebrations will also feature participation from a contingent of the Indian Armed Forces, a warship from the Indian Navy, and the Akash Ganga skydiving team from the Indian Air Force. Modi highlighted Mauritius as a significant maritime neighbor and partner in the Indian Ocean, enforcing their historical, geographical, and cultural connections.
He noted the strength derived from mutual trust, shared democratic values, and a celebration of diversity. The Prime Minister further acknowledged that the shared historical connections between the populations of both nations contribute to a source of collective pride.
Confident in the productive outcomes of this trip, Modi mentioned that significant progress has been made over the last decade through people-centric initiatives and expressed hope for greater cooperation and security in the Indian Ocean Region under the SAGAR framework, which stands for Security And Growth for All in the Region.
The national day celebrations are scheduled for March 12, marking an important occasion for the two countries. India and Mauritius enjoy robust cooperation in various domains, particularly in maritime security, development, and capacity-building, with strong people-to-people ties exemplified by multiple India-funded projects throughout Mauritius.
Additionally, India ranks among the largest trading partners of Mauritius and was noted as the second-largest source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into India for the fiscal year 2023-24, following Singapore. Notably, the comprehensive economic cooperation and partnership agreement (CECPA), signed in February 2021 after extensive negotiations, marked India’s first trade agreement with an African nation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s forthcoming visit to Mauritius signifies a pivotal moment aimed at enhancing bilateral relations through shared history and cooperation. With planned participation in national celebrations and the acknowledgment of existing strong ties, this visit seeks to build a foundation for future partnerships in diverse sectors, emphasizing mutual growth and security in the Indian Ocean region. The comprehensive economic cooperation agreement exemplifies the deepening relationship between India and Mauritius.
Original Source: www.business-standard.com
