Port Louis:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on a two-day state visit to Mauritius on Tuesday to attend the island nation’s 57th National Day celebrations as the chief guest. During his visit, India and Mauritius are expected to sign several agreements to strengthen economic and security ties.
A contingent of the Indian armed forces will participate in the celebrations, alongside an Indian Navy warship and the Akash Ganga skydiving team of the Indian Air Force.
Speaking about PM Modi’s visit, Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam said, "It is indeed a singular privilege for our country to host such a distinguished personality, who is honoring us despite his tight schedule and recent visits to Paris and the United States. He has agreed to be here as our special guest."
"The visit of PM Narendra Modi is a testament to the close relations between our two nations," he added.
What’s on the Agenda?
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) will be exchanged between the two countries during the visit. PM Modi and Prime Minister Ramgoolam will also hold extensive discussions.
At a media briefing on Saturday, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated that the Indian Navy and Mauritian authorities will sign a technical agreement on exchanging information on "white shipping" during the visit.
"This will enable Indian and Mauritian authorities to cooperate in preventing illegal activities and enhance Mauritius’ maritime domain awareness in the region," he said.
The two sides will also sign agreements in areas such as capacity building, bilateral trade, tackling cross-border financial crimes, and promoting small and medium enterprises.
Misri added that the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services and the Mauritius Prime Minister’s Office will sign an MoU to establish a framework for cooperation in maritime zone management, ocean observation, and research.
PM Modi will join Prime Minister Ramgoolam in inaugurating a civil service college and a health center built with Indian grants.
India’s Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Financial Crime Commission of Mauritius will sign an MoU on combating financial crimes during the visit. The pact aims to enhance cooperation in intelligence and technical assistance to tackle money laundering and related crimes.
The Indian Prime Minister will also meet senior dignitaries, leaders of political parties, and interact with members of the Indian-origin community.
Describing Mauritius as a close maritime neighbor, Misri said India has been privileged to be a preferred development partner for the island nation.
India-Mauritius Ties
India shares close and longstanding relations with Mauritius, an island nation in the Western Indian Ocean. A key factor in these special ties is the fact that people of Indian origin make up nearly 70% of the island nation’s population of 1.2 million.
Since 2005, India has been one of Mauritius’ largest trading partners. For the financial year 2022-2023, Indian exports to Mauritius stood at USD 462 million, while Mauritian exports to India were USD 91.50 million, bringing the total trade volume to USD 554 million.
Official data shows that trade between the two countries has grown by 132% over the last 17 years, from USD 206 million in 2005-06 to USD 554 million in 2022-23.
Cooperation in maritime security and defense has also grown significantly over the past decade. India has assisted in expanding a strategic airstrip and jetty on Agalega, one of Mauritius’ outer islands, to enhance the country’s ability to monitor its vast exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of 2.3 million square kilometers.
In July last year, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited Mauritius and met Prime Minister Ramgoolam, who was then in opposition. The son of Mauritius’ founding father, Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, Prime Minister Ramgoolam shares a strong affinity for India. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he fell critically ill and was flown to New Delhi for treatment.
Balancing Act Between India and China
Amid China’s efforts to continue conducting surveys in the Indian Ocean, Mauritius remains India’s steadfast partner in the region and is set to collaborate with New Delhi on a framework for ocean observation, research, and information management.
A month after the China-Mauritius Free Trade Agreement in February 2021, Port Louis signed a comprehensive economic cooperation and partnership agreement with New Delhi.
During his first visit to Mauritius in 2015, PM Modi announced SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region), India’s doctrine of maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean region.
Amid China’s persistent efforts to conduct surveys in the Indian Ocean, Mauritius continues to stand as India’s reliable partner in the region and is poised to work with New Delhi on a framework for ocean observation, research, and information management.
A month after the China-Mauritius Free Trade Agreement in February 2021, Port Louis signed a comprehensive economic cooperation and partnership agreement with New Delhi.
During his first visit to the island nation in 2015, PM Modi also announced SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region), India’s doctrine of maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean region.
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