The External Affairs Minister (EAM) of India, Dr. S. Jaishankar paid an official visit to the Republic of Mauritius from 16th to 17th July 2024. This is the first visit by EAM to Mauritius in his current term. It follows the visit of Prime Minister H.E. Mr. Pravind Jugnauth to India on 09-11 June, 2024 to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. EAM last visited Mauritius in February 2021.
During his visit, EAM called on Prime Minister H.E. Mr. Pravind Kumar Jugnauth and reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations and explored ways to further strengthen the special and close partnership between the two countries. Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development Mr. Renganaden Padayachy, and Minister of Industrial Development, SMEs and cooperatives Mr. Soomilduth Bholah and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Attorney General Mr. Maneesh Gobin, were also present.
Highlighting the vibrant and people-centred India-Mauritius development cooperation, Prime Minister Jugnauth and EAM virtually inaugurated 12 India-assisted Community Development Projects. They also inaugurated a Mediclinic in Grand Bois along with the first overseas JanAushadi Kendra, testifying to the close cooperation between our countries, especially in the important sector of health. Both leaders also witnessed the exchange of several bilateral agreements and official documents in areas including development of India-Mauritius Joint Satellite, digitization of immigration archives, education, and culture. EAM presented OCI cards to the first two 7th generation Mauritian citizens and handed over a royalty cheque for the sale of nautical charts, as per the bilateral MoU on sales of navigational charts.
EAM also paid homage to the memorials of Sir Seewoosagar Ramgoolam and Sir Aneerood Jugnauth Memorial at the Pamplemousses Botanical Garden.
EAM met key Mauritian leaders during the visit and reaffirmed India’s commitment to the continued strengthening of the longstanding and trusted Partnership between India and Mauritius.
The visit of EAM underscores the importance India attaches to Mauritius as an important pillar of India’s Vision SAGAR, and ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy. The visit reaffirmed the continued commitment of both countries to strengthening their multi-dimensional bilateral relationship and deepening their close people-to-people ties. India and Mauritius remain steadfast partners, committed to the prosperity and development of both countries and the larger Indian Ocean Region.