After a decade, Indian Prime Minister returns to Mauritius

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Mauritius next week as the chief guest at the country's Independence Day celebrations (March 12).

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Mauritius next week. (Source: PTI)

Strong and long lasting relationship

The head of the Indian government will visit the capital Port Louis from March 11-12 at the invitation of his Mauritian counterpart Navinchandra Ramgoolam.

A contingent of Indian Defence Forces will participate in the celebrations along with an Indian Navy ship, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs added.

During the visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet President Dharam Gokhool, hold talks with Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam and meet senior officials and leaders of political parties in the Indian Ocean island nation.

Apart from interacting with representatives of the Indian-origin community, Prime Minister Modi will also inaugurate a Civil Service College and a Regional Health Centre - both built with Indian grant aid. The two sides are expected to sign a number of memorandums of understanding (MoUs) in areas such as capacity building, trade, tackling cross-border financial crimes and promoting small and medium enterprises.

“India and Mauritius enjoy close and special relations rooted in shared historical, cultural and people-to-people ties,” the statement said, adding that the island nation of over 1.2 million people is a key part of New Delhi’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision.

Prime Minister Modi’s presence in Port Louis will “reaffirm the strong and enduring ties between India and Mauritius, reinforcing the shared commitment of both countries to strengthen bilateral relations in all areas”.

The last time Mr Modi visited this "close maritime neighbor" was in 2015, less than a year after taking office as the 14th Prime Minister of the South Asian nation.

Last year, President Droupadi Murmu attended Mauritius' National Day celebrations as the chief guest.

Port Louis, Mauritius. (Source: W61)

Mauritius celebrates its National Day on 12 March each year, marking the anniversary of Mauritius' independence from British rule in 1968.

Last month, while addressing Parliament, Mauritius Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam said that hosting the Indian Prime Minister at this year's Independence Day celebrations was "truly a special honour for our country".

Historical milestones and prospects

According to NDTV , the special India-Mauritius relationship is rooted in historical, demographic and cultural similarities. A major reason for this relationship is that the Indian community makes up nearly 70% of the island's population.

Speaking at a press conference today, March 8, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that over the past 10 years, the relationship between the two countries has "deepened significantly". India is Mauritius' preferred defense partner in purchasing platforms, equipment, capacity building, joint patrols, hydrographic services, etc.

Since 2005, the country of the Ganges has become one of Mauritius' largest trading partners. According to official figures, trade has increased by 132% over the past 17 years, from $206 million in 2005-06 to $554 million in 2022-23.

In the financial year 2022-23, India's exports to Mauritius were $462 million while Mauritius' exports to India were $91.50 million.

In 2021, the two sides signed the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA) during External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's visit to Port Louis, marking India's first trade agreement with an African country.

India and Mauritius sign Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA), February 22, 2021. (Source: PIB)

Mauritius was originally a colony of Britain and France. Under French rule which lasted for nearly a century (1715-1810), the first Indians were brought to Mauritius from the Puducherry region to work as craftsmen and masons.

During British colonial rule, about half a million Indian indentured workers were brought to Mauritius between 1834 and the early 1900s. About two-thirds of these workers settled permanently.

The ship Atlas carrying the first group of workers, 36 men, arrived in Mauritius on November 2, 1834. This day is later celebrated in Mauritius as Aapravasi Diwas.

Mauritius was among the few important countries with which India established diplomatic relations in 1948, even before independence. India had a commissioner in Mauritius during British rule from 1948-1968 and then High Commissioner when Mauritius became independent in 1968.

With relations characterized by a high level of trust and frequent political engagement, Prime Minister Modi's upcoming visit is expected to take relations with Mauritius to new heights, especially as the small African island nation becomes a pillar in India's efforts to maintain influence in the Indian Ocean region.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/sau-mot-thap-ky-thu-tuong-an-do-tro-lai-mauritius-306862.html