India and Mauritius have agreed to elevate their ties to enhanced strategic partnership, on the National Day celebrations of the 57th anniversary of the independence of the east African island nation.
This is the first such partnership that India has with a partner in its neighbourhood.
The ties have been scaled up to the level of strategic partnership during Prime Minister Modi’s two day State visit to Mauritius to grace its national day as the Guest of Honour.
During the celebrations, the President of Mauritius conferred the Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean (G.C.S.K) award, the highest civilian award of Mauritius on Prime Minister Modi.
Prime Minister Modi who is the first Indian to receive this prestigious award, dedicated it to special friendship between India and Mauritius and to the 1.4 billion people of India and their 1.3 million brothers and sisters in Mauritius.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Mauritian Prime Minister Navindchandra Ramgoolam adopted a joint vision for an enhanced strategic partnership.
Prime Minister Modi also used his visit to spell out a MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) Vision – a vision for global south that aims to signal India’s commitment to global south.
At a special briefing, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that Prime Minister Modi’s substantive and productive visit enabled the two leaders “provide a new orientation to the relationship by elevating it to the level of strategic partnership that befits the length and depth of our bilateral ties.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India is committed to providing full support for the security of the Exclusive Economic Zone of Mauritius. “In this regard, we will extend every possible assistance to meet the needs of the Coast Guard,” he said in a joint Press statement with his Mauritian counterpart.
The India-Mauritius Joint Vision for an Enhanced Strategic Partnership notes that the Mauritian Prime Minister conveyed his appreciation to India for its unwavering support to Mauritius in protecting its vast Exclusive Economic Zone through provisioning of defence and maritime assets, regular deployment of ships and aircraft, conducting joint maritime surveillance, hydrographic surveys and patrolling, bilateral exercises and information sharing and training support, thereby emerging as a significant security provider for Mauritius.
The announcement on elevation of ties, along with eight promising MoUs were exchanged in areas including financial crime prevention, SMEs, public service capacity building, maritime security, and local currency trade, was made today.
A technical agreement on sharing of White Shipping Information was also signed between Indian Navy and Government of Mauritius.
In his Press statement, the Prime Minister of Mauritius expressed deep gratitude for India for its unflinching support to the long standing struggle of Mauritius to exercise its full sovereignty over its entire territory.
The Mauritian Prime Minister said that that their shared vision is to increase cooperation in existing and emerging sectors such as space research, artificial intelligence, digital health,ocean economy, pharmaceuticals, fintech and cyber security.
While acknowledging that Mauritius continues to benefit from India’s socio economic assistance, the Mauritian Prime Minister said that community projects will contribute to improving the lives of the people.
He said that the two countries will continue to reinforce trade relations through the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement.
He added that Mauritius and India have also agreed to cooperate on climate emergencies.
Prime Minister Modi also promised India’s assistance in setting up the Police Academy and National Maritime Information Sharing Centre in Mauritius.
“Cooperation will be further strengthened in White shipping, Blue economy, and hydrography,” he said.
Prime Minister Modi said, “We fully respect the sovereignty of Mauritius with regard to Chagos. We will extend our cooperation through forums such as the Colombo Security Conclave, Indian Ocean Rim Association, and Indian Ocean Conference.”
He said, “Be it the Global South, the Indian Ocean or the African Continent, Mauritius is our important partner. Ten years ago, the foundation of Vision SAGAR, which stands for “Security and Growth for All in the Region” was laid here in Mauritius. We are moving ahead with the SAGAR Vision for the stability and prosperity of this region. Today, building upon this, I want to say that our vision for Global South will be – going beyond SAGAR – it will be MAHASAGAR, i.e. “Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions”. It shall encompass the ideas of trade for development, capacity building for sustainable growth, and mutual security for a shared future. Under this, we will extend cooperation through technology sharing, concessional loan and grants.”
Prime Minister Modi also put out a post reaffirming commitment on continuing to make every effort to enhance India-Mauritius Strategic Partnership to greater heights.
“We agree that defence cooperation and maritime security are a key pillar of our strategic partnership. ” Free, open, secure and safe Indian Ocean is our priority,” PM Modi said.
India will also work on modernization of 100 km pipeline in Mauritius.
The two Prime Ministers virtually inaugurated 20 High-Impact Community Development Projects and an India-assisted Area Health Centre (AHC).
These initiatives will bolster Mauritius healthcare and grassroots infrastructure, bringing tangible benefits to the people.
A navigational chart of St Brandon Island was also handed over.
In a joint address to the Press, Modi announced that India will assist Mauritius in the construction of its new Parliament building which will be a gift from the “Mother of Democracy.”
He said that India and Mauritius are linked not just with the Indian Ocean but also by cultural traditions and values. ” We are partners on the path to economic and social progress. Be it natural calamity or COVID crisis, we have always supported each other. Be it space or education, we are walking shoulder to shoulder with each other. In the last ten years, we have added many new dimensions in our relationship. We have set new milestones in capacity building,” PM Modi said.
He said that India has completed several people-centric initiatives such as the metro express,Supreme Court building, social housing, ENT hospital, UPI and Rupay card, Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
The two Prime Ministers jointly inaugurated the India-assisted Civil Service College in Reduit, Mauritius.
The institute has been named after former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, as a tribute to his legacy and efforts to strengthen India Mauritius relations.
In the next five years, 500 civil servants of Mauritus will be trained in India.
In the second phase of the community development projects, new projects worth 500 million Mauritian rupees will be started.
The two countries have also agreed on a settlement of mutual trade in local currency.
Prime Minister Modi also engaged with ITEC & Government of India scholarship alumni, whose contributions continue to strengthen the India Mauritius partnership.
Deeply connected by history, geography, culture and centuries old friendship, India and Mauritius have diplomatic ties that date back to 1948.
Prime Minister Modi instantly won many hearts in Mauritius on the first day of his visit when he said that Mauritius is not just a partner country. “For us, Mauritius is family.”
Notably, Mauritius is referred to as mini India as 70 per cent of its population comprises persons of Indian origin.
In his joint Press statement, Modi said that people-to-people ties form a strong foundation for our partnership.
He said that cooperation shall be extended in areas like, Digital Health, AYUSH Centre, school education, skilling and mobility. “We will work together to utilize AI and DPI, i.e. Digital Public Infrastructure for the development of mankind.”
Modi who had visited Mauritius in October 1998 in his capacity as the BJP’s National General Secretary to address the International Ramayana Conference, promised the People of Mauritius that facilitation will be provided for Char Dham Yatra and Ramayan Trail in India.
He said that emphasis will be given to the preservation and promotion of the Girmitiya Heritage.
He also invited the Mauritian Prime Minister to India.
After meeting the President of Mauritius, Dharambeer Gokhul and visiting the Ayurvedic Garden, Prime Minister Modi expressed joy over Ayurveda gaining popularity in Mauritius.
He also handed over OCI cards to Prime Minister Ramgoolam and his wife, Veena Ramgoolam.
Modi received a warm welcome at the airport by none other than the Prime Minister of Mauritius, who made a special gesture.
