The temple town of Varanasi witnessed two secular announcements on Thursday: With Mauritius visiting Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam looking on, his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi declared a $680 million Special Economic Package to support the island’s development across infrastructure, healthcare, employment generation and maritime security.
Modi also announced Mahasagar, Mutual & Holistic Advancement for Security & Growth Across Regions, a policy that at its core seeks to challenge China’s attempts to expand its influence in the Indian Ocean.
The economic package will fund the 500-bed Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam National Hospital to enhance public healthcare, an AYUSH Centre of Excellence, marking the international expansion of India’s traditional wellness systems, a Veterinary School and Animal Hospital and helicopter provisions to strengthen emergency response and maritime surveillance.
“Today’s package is not assistance, it’s an investment in our shared future,” said Modi during the joint press address. He also congratulated Mauritius on the conclusion of the Chagos Agreement, calling it a “historic victory” for Mauritian sovereignty. “India has always championed the cause of decolonization and supported Mauritius in its rightful claims.”
Other projects up for completion include an Air Traffic Control tower at Port Louis International Airport, development of key transport infrastructure including the Motorway M4 and Ring Road Phase II and acquisition of advanced port equipment to boost maritime trade capacity.
India has agreed in principle to assist in the redevelopment of Mauritius’ port infrastructure and support marine surveillance and conservation efforts around the Chagos Marine Protected Area.
India has committed $ 25 million in budgetary assistance for the current fiscal year. Both sides will work towards enabling trade in local currencies, building on the digital payment frameworks such as UPI and RuPay, which were introduced in Mauritius last year.
“This will not only reduce transaction costs but also enhance the resilience of our bilateral trade,” Modi underscored.
Several MoUs were signed covering science, oceanography, energy, hydrography, community development, and capacity building. IIT Madras and the Indian Institute of Plantation Management signed agreements with the University of Mauritius, setting the stage for collaborative research and innovation.
PM Ramgoolam participated in the Ganga Aarti and visited the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, highlighting the spiritual and civilizational ties that have bound India and Mauritius for centuries.
