New Delhi, March 10: Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Monday that he is looking forward to engaging with the leadership of Mauritius during his two-day visit to the country, aiming to elevate the bilateral partnership and strengthen ties for security and development in the Indian Ocean Region.
In his departure statement, PM Modi highlighted Mauritius as a close maritime neighbor, a key partner in the Indian Ocean, and a gateway to the African continent.
"At the invitation of my dear friend, Prime Minister Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam, I will be visiting Mauritius for a two-day State Visit to join the celebrations of the 57th National Day of Mauritius. Our nations are connected through history, geography, and culture. We share deep mutual trust, a commitment to democracy, and a celebration of our diversity. These are the pillars of our relationship," he stated.
PM Modi emphasized the strong people-to-people ties between India and Mauritius as a source of pride. "Over the past decade, we have made substantial progress through people-centered initiatives," he added.
The Prime Minister expressed confidence that the visit would build on the foundation of previous engagements and open a new chapter in the India-Mauritius relationship.
"I look forward to the opportunity to engage with Mauritius' leadership to elevate our partnership across all areas and strengthen our enduring friendship for the progress and prosperity of our peoples, as well as for the security and development of the Indian Ocean Region, in line with our Vision SAGAR," he said.
PM Modi’s visit to Mauritius is scheduled for March 11-12, where he will be the Chief Guest at the National Day celebrations on March 12. An Indian Defence Forces contingent, along with an Indian Navy ship, will participate in the celebrations. The Prime Minister last visited Mauritius in 2015.
During his visit, PM Modi is set to meet with the President of Mauritius, engage with the Prime Minister, and hold discussions with senior dignitaries and political party leaders. He will also interact with members of the Indian-origin community and inaugurate the Civil Service College and the Area Health Centre, both of which were built with India's grant assistance. Additionally, several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) are expected to be signed during the visit.
