Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed for Mauritius late Monday night on a two-day state visit, where he will be the chief guest at the country’s National Day celebrations on March 12. His visit is expected to further strengthen the longstanding ties between India and Mauritius, which are rooted in shared history, culture, and mutual cooperation.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) emphasized the importance of the visit, highlighting India’s commitment to deepening its strategic and people-to-people ties with Mauritius. “Strengthening India-Mauritius enduring ties! PM @narendramodi has embarked on a two-day state visit to Port Louis, Mauritius. He will participate as the chief guest at Mauritius’ National Day celebrations and also engage with the country’s leadership and dignitaries,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated in a post on X.
Aims for Deeper Cooperation and Maritime Security
Before his departure, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed optimism about the visit, stating that he looks forward to engaging with Mauritius’ leadership to further elevate the bilateral partnership. He described Mauritius as a close maritime neighbor and a key partner in the Indian Ocean Region, emphasizing its strategic importance as a gateway to the African continent.
“At the invitation of my friend, Prime Minister Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam, I am embarking on this visit to Mauritius to participate in the celebrations of the 57th National Day of Mauritius. India and Mauritius are connected by history, geography, and culture. Our deep mutual trust, shared democratic values, and respect for diversity are the foundation of our partnership,” Narendra Modi said.
He highlighted the significant progress made in the last decade through various people-centric initiatives and expressed confidence that this visit would open new avenues for cooperation. “I look forward to engaging with Mauritius’ leadership to strengthen our enduring friendship for the progress and prosperity of our peoples, as well as for security and development in the Indian Ocean Region, as part of our Vision SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region),” he added.
As part of the celebrations, a contingent of the Indian Defence Forces and an Indian Navy ship will participate in the events. Narendra Modi is also scheduled to meet the President and Prime Minister of Mauritius, along with other senior leaders and dignitaries. His visit will include interactions with members of the Indian-origin community and the inauguration of key development projects supported by India, such as the Civil Service College and the Area Health Centre.
Agreements and Future Collaboration
Several agreements, particularly in areas like maritime security and capacity building, are expected to be signed during the visit. The Indian High Commissioner to Mauritius, Anurag Srivastava, called the India-Mauritius relationship “truly special” and stated that it has evolved into a strong and multifaceted partnership.
This visit is expected to reaffirm India’s commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation across various sectors, further strengthening its diplomatic and strategic engagement with Mauritius.
