Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Mauritius for two days to celebrate the country’s national day and strengthen bilateral ties through various agreements on economic cooperation, security, and combating financial crimes. This visit symbolizes the longstanding relationship between India and Mauritius, bolstered by shared cultural ties and strategic interests in the Indian Ocean region.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Mauritius for two days starting Tuesday, acting as the chief guest at the nation’s 57th national day celebrations. During this visit, India and Mauritius are expected to sign multiple agreements aimed at enhancing both economic and security cooperation. Additionally, Indian armed forces, including a warship and the Akash Ganga skydiving team, will participate in the celebrations.
Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam expressed his honor in hosting PM Modi, highlighting that despite his busy schedule, the Indian leader still chose to attend the events. He underscored that Modi’s visit reflects the strong diplomatic relations shared between the two nations.
According to the Foreign Ministry, various Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) will be signed during the Prime Minister’s visit. This includes a technical agreement between the Indian Navy and Mauritius authorities focused on white shipping information exchange, enhancing cooperation to combat illegal activities while bolstering Mauritius’ maritime domain awareness.
Moreover, agreements will be formalized in areas such as capacity building, bilateral trade, and small and medium enterprises. The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services and the Mauritian Prime Minister’s Office will also collaborate on maritime zone management and ocean research through an MoU.
Additionally, PM Modi will inaugurate a civil service college and health centre financed by Indian grants during his visit. A crucial MoU between India’s Enforcement Directorate and Mauritius’ Financial Crime Commission will address financial crimes, fostering collaboration in intelligence sharing and combating money laundering.
Throughout his visit, PM Modi is scheduled to meet prominent political leaders and engage with the Indian-origin community in Mauritius. The Foreign Secretary reaffirmed India’s commitment as a key development partner for the nation.
The bilateral ties between India and Mauritius are robust, largely due to the roughly 70% of the Mauritian population being of Indian descent. Since 2005, India has emerged as a leading trading partner for Mauritius, with trade volume rising significantly from USD 206 million in 2005-06 to USD 554 million in 2022-23.
Over the past decade, cooperation in maritime security and defense has strengthened, with India assisting in the enhancement of strategic locations like Agalega to improve monitoring of Mauritius’ extensive exclusive economic zone. Previous agreements have solidified this partnership, focusing on maritime cooperation and security initiatives in the Indian Ocean region.
Despite China’s growing influence, Mauritius remains an unwavering ally of India in maritime affairs. The island nation continues to collaborate with New Delhi on research and information management regarding ocean observation.
In summary, this visit illustrates the deepening relationship between India and Mauritius amid evolving regional dynamics, showcasing shared interests in economic growth, security, and maritime cooperation. The agreements reached during this visit are expected to fortify the longstanding ties between the two nations, paving the way for future collaborations.
In summary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Mauritius signifies a strategic enhancement of bilateral relations, focusing on economic cooperation and security. Key agreements, including those targeting financial crime and maritime domain awareness, will reflect India’s commitment to support Mauritius as a fundamental partner in the Indian Ocean region. This visit not only marks an important milestone in diplomatic ties but also underscores the cultural and historical connections shared between the two nations.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
