PM Modi’s Mauritius Visit: A Step Towards Strengthening Bilateral Ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Mauritius on March 11-12 to celebrate the national day and strengthen bilateral relations. He aims to enhance partnerships in various facets and emphasize mutual values, security, and development, particularly through the SAGAR initiative. India’s robust cooperation with Mauritius includes significant trade and investment ties, underscored by the CECPA agreement.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to undertake a two-day visit to Mauritius on March 11 and 12, amid a commitment to fortifying ties between the two nations. This visit, at the invitation of Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, aims to celebrate Mauritius’s national day.

In his departure statement, Prime Minister Modi expressed eagerness for discussions with the Mauritian leadership to enhance the bilateral partnership and to bolster the enduring friendship that benefits both nations’ peoples. He emphasized the participation of Indian armed forces in the national celebrations, highlighting the presence of an Indian Navy warship and the Akash Ganga skydiving team.

Modi referred to Mauritius as a crucial maritime neighbor, integral to the Indian Ocean and a gateway to Africa. He noted, “We are connected by history, geography and culture,” acknowledging the deep mutual trust and shared democratic values between the two nations. Modi also recognized the historical ties among the peoples as a point of mutual pride, stating confidence that this visit will foster significant advancements in the relationship.

The Prime Minister mentioned the progress made over the past decade in people-centric initiatives, foreseeing opportunities to engage with Mauritian leadership towards mutual prosperity and security in the Indian Ocean Region, describing it as part of the SAGAR initiative—Security And Growth for All in the Region.

The national day celebrations are scheduled for March 12. India has established robust cooperation with Mauritius in maritime security, development, and shared cultural ties, while numerous India-assisted development projects symbolize these connections. Furthermore, India ranks among Mauritius’s largest trading partners and received the second largest foreign direct investment (FDI) from Mauritius in 2023-24, following Singapore. Notably, India and Mauritius formalized a comprehensive economic cooperation and partnership agreement (CECPA) in February 2021, marking a significant milestone in their trade relations as India’s first trade accord with an African nation.

Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Mauritius signifies a strategic initiative to enhance bilateral relations, focusing on cooperation in security, development, and cultural exchange. This partnership, evident in numerous collaborative projects, reflects a longstanding friendship and mutual interests, with the potential for further economic integration through agreements like CECPA. As both nations celebrate shared values and historical ties, this visit is poised to strengthen connectivity in the Indian Ocean region and beyond.

Original Source: www.business-standard.com