India and Mauritius Strengthen Bilateral Ties with Eight MoUs Signed During PM Modi’s Visit
Port Louis, March 12 (IANS) – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Mauritian counterpart, Navinchandra Ramgoolam, presided over the signing of eight Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) on Wednesday, reinforcing the long-standing strategic and economic partnership between the two nations. The agreements cover a broad spectrum of sectors, including crime investigation, maritime security, infrastructure, commerce, finance, and the ocean economy.
During a joint press conference, Prime Minister Modi extended his best wishes to the people of Mauritius on their National Day and underscored the deep cultural and historical ties between the two countries. He emphasized that the India-Mauritius relationship extends beyond geographical proximity in the Indian Ocean to shared traditions and values.
Expanding Strategic and Economic Cooperation
Reflecting on the progress made over the past decade, PM Modi highlighted several key projects that have significantly contributed to Mauritius’ development, including the Metro Express, the Supreme Court building, social housing initiatives, the ENT hospital, and digital infrastructure advancements like UPI and RuPay cards. He also mentioned the establishment of Jan Aushadhi Kendras to ensure access to affordable and high-quality medicines for the people of Mauritius.
In a move to deepen the “Enhanced Strategic Partnership,” Prime Minister Modi announced India’s support for the construction of a new parliament building in Mauritius, describing it as a “gift from the Mother of Democracy.” Additionally, India will modernize a 100-kilometer-long water pipeline and initiate new community development projects worth 500 million Mauritian rupees under the second phase of collaboration.
Training, Trade, and Maritime Security
As part of capacity-building efforts, India will train 500 Mauritian civil servants over the next five years. Both nations have also agreed to facilitate trade settlements in local currencies, strengthening financial cooperation. Prime Minister Modi reiterated that defense and maritime security remain vital pillars of bilateral relations, emphasizing a commitment to a “free, open, secure, and safe Indian Ocean.”
India will further assist Mauritius in establishing a police academy and a national maritime information-sharing center. Additionally, increased cooperation in white shipping, the blue economy, and hydrography will enhance security and economic prospects in the region. India reaffirmed its commitment to Mauritius’ sovereignty and pledged greater collaboration through regional platforms such as the Colombo Security Conclave, the Indian Ocean Rim Association, and the Indian Ocean Conference.
Cultural and Technological Collaboration
Recognizing the importance of people-to-people ties, Prime Minister Modi highlighted plans for joint efforts in artificial intelligence and digital public infrastructure. He also announced provisions for the people of Mauritius to visit India’s Char Dham Yatra and the Ramayana Trail, reinforcing shared cultural heritage.
“The foundation stone of Vision SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) was laid here in Mauritius ten years ago,” Modi stated. “We continue to work towards stability and prosperity in the Indian Ocean region. Our vision for the Global South extends beyond the sea—it is about fostering an inclusive and sustainable ocean economy.”
Mauritius Acknowledges India’s Contributions
Welcoming Prime Minister Modi, Mauritian Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam expressed gratitude for India’s continued support, highlighting the “unique and special relationship” between the two nations. He noted that while formal diplomatic ties were established in 1948, the historical and cultural connections between their peoples date back centuries.
Ramgoolam praised the success of a community event at the Triano Convention Centre, which celebrated the vibrant cultural heritage shared by India and Mauritius. He emphasized that Mauritius continues to benefit from Indian assistance in its socio-economic development.
Key Agreements Signed
Among the eight MoUs signed were:
A Local Currency Settlement System agreement between the Central Bank of Mauritius and the Reserve Bank of India to facilitate smoother financial transactions.
A Credit Facility Agreement between the Government of Mauritius and the State Bank of India to finance water infrastructure projects under the Pipe Replacement Programme.
An MoU between the Institute of Foreign Service of India and the Mauritian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for diplomat training.
A White Shipping Information Sharing agreement between the Indian Navy and the Mauritius Police Force to strengthen maritime security.
An agreement between the Financial Crimes Commission of Mauritius and India’s Enforcement Directorate to enhance financial crime investigation capabilities.
A cooperation agreement between the Ministry of Industry, SMEs, and Cooperatives of Mauritius and India’s Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises to foster MSME development.
A partnership between the Ministry of Public Service and Administrative Reforms of Mauritius and India’s National Centre for Good Governance for public officer training.
An MoU between the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services and Mauritius’ Department for Continental Shelf, Maritime Zones Administration, and Exploration to promote ocean research and exploration.
The high-level discussions and agreements signed during PM Modi’s visit reaffirm the strengthening partnership between India and Mauritius. These collaborations are expected to further enhance cooperation in governance, infrastructure, trade, security, and cultural exchanges, paving the way for a resilient and prosperous future for both nations.
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