PM Modi is visiting Mauritius for its National Day, which, like much else in the country, has an Indian connection. Its location in the Indian Ocean also makes Mauritius strategically important.
Port Louis:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a two-day state visit to Mauritius, met the island nation’s President Dharam Gokhool, in Port Louis, on Tuesday. He also paid homage to Mauritius’ founding father Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam.
Prime Minister Modi is visiting the island nation at the invitation of his Mauritius counterpart Navinchandra Ramgoolam, who welcomed him warmly at the airport. The Indian premier is invited to attend the island nation’s 57th national day celebrations as the guest of honour. During his trip, the Indian premier is set to hold meetings with Mauritius’ top leadership and the two countries will sign several pacts providing for cooperation in the areas of capacity building, trade and tackling cross-border financial crimes.
A contingent of Indian armed forces will participate in the island nation’s 57th national day celebrations on Wednesday along with a warship of the Indian Navy and the Akash Ganga skydiving team of the Indian Air Force.
Before leaving for Mauritius, PM Modi on Monday said that his visit would open a “new and bright” chapter in the ties between the two nations. In his departure statement, the prime minister said he was looking forward to engaging with the leadership of Mauritius to elevate “our partnership in all its facets and strengthen our enduring friendship for the progress and prosperity of our peoples”.
“Mauritius is a close maritime neighbour, a key partner in the Indian Ocean, and a gateway to the African Continent. We are connected by history, geography and culture…Deep mutual trust, a shared belief in the values of democracy, and celebration of our diversity are our strengths,” Modi said, adding that the close and historical people-to-people connection between the two sides is a source of shared pride.
