PORT LOUIS — Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Mauritian counterpart,
Navinchandra Ramgoolam, witnessed the signing of eight Memorandums of
Understanding (MoUs) on Wednesday, covering a wide range of sectors, including
crime investigation, maritime traffic monitoring, infrastructure diplomacy,
commerce, capacity building, finance, and the ocean economy.
During a joint press meet, PM Modi extended his greetings
to the people of Mauritius on their National Day and highlighted the
deep-rooted ties between the two nations.
"The relationship between India and Mauritius is not
only linked to the Indian Ocean but also to our shared cultural traditions and
values. We are each other's partners on the path of economic and social
progress. Be it a natural disaster or Covid disaster, we have always supported
each other, be it defence or education or health or space, we are walking
shoulder to shoulder in every field," he said.
Reflecting on the progress made over the past decade, PM
Modi pointed out that the partnership has expanded significantly, adding new
dimensions to bilateral cooperation.
He cited notable projects such as the Metro Express, the
Supreme Court building, social housing initiatives, the ENT hospital, and
digital advancements like UPI and RuPay cards, all of which have strengthened
trade and tourism ties. Additionally, he mentioned the establishment of Jan
Aushadhi Kendras to provide affordable and high-quality medicines to the people
of Mauritius.
Emphasising the commitment to an "Enhanced Strategic
Partnership," PM Modi announced that India would support the construction
of a new parliament building in Mauritius as a "gift from the Mother of
Democracy."
He also revealed plans to modernise a 100-kilometer-long
water pipeline in Mauritius and initiate new community development projects
worth 500 million Mauritian rupees in the second phase of collaboration.
"In the next five years, 500 civil servants of
Mauritius will be trained in India. An agreement has also been reached on
settling mutual trade in local currency on our beaches. The Prime Minister and
I agree that defence cooperation and maritime security are an important part of
our strategic partnership. A free, open, secure and safe Indian Ocean is our
main priority. We are committed to providing full cooperation in the security
of the exclusive economic zone of Mauritius," he continued.
As part of security collaborations, India will assist in
establishing a police academy and a national maritime information-sharing
centre in Mauritius. PM Modi also highlighted increased cooperation in white
shipping, the blue economy, and hydrography.
He reiterated India's respect for Mauritius' sovereignty,
promising greater collaboration through platforms like the Colombo Security
Conclave, the Indian Ocean Rim Association, and the Indian Ocean Conference.
Highlighting the significance of people-to-people ties,
PM Modi stated that India and Mauritius would work together to leverage
artificial intelligence and digital public infrastructure for human
development.
"Facilities will be provided for Char Dham Yatra and
Ramayana trial in India for the people of Mauritius. Emphasis will be given to
the protection and promotion of inscribed heritage," he said.
"Whether it is the global south, Indian Ocean, or
African landmass, it is our important partner. Ten years ago, the foundation
stone of vision SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region)... was laid
here in Mauritius. We are moving forward with the vision of SAGAR for the
stability and prosperity of this entire region. Today, taking this forward, I
would like to say that our vision for the global south will be to go beyond the
sea and become the ocean," he added.
Welcoming PM Modi, Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam
expressed gratitude for his presence on Mauritius' National Day, calling it a
testament to the "unique and special relationship" between the two
nations.
He recalled that while diplomatic ties were formally
established in 1948, the historical and cultural connection between the people
of India and Mauritius dates back centuries.
"The resounding success of the community event held
last evening at the Triano Convention Centre, which gathered both Mauritian
citizens and members of the Indian diaspora with a clear illustration of the
vibrancy of shared cultural heritage. I am proud to underscore the dynamic
partnership between our two countries," he said.
"Mauritius continues to benefit from Indian
assistance for its socio-economic development," Ramgoolam said,
highlighting the signing of the eight MoUs as another milestone in bilateral
cooperation.
Among the agreements was an MoU between the Central Bank
of Mauritius and the Reserve Bank of India on a Local Currency Settlement
System, facilitating smoother financial transactions between the two nations.
Another key agreement included a Credit Facility
Agreement between the Government of Mauritius and the State Bank of India to
finance projects under the Pipe Replacement Programme, aimed at improving the
country's water infrastructure. Additionally, an MoU was signed between the
Institute of Foreign Service of India and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Regional Integration, and International Trade of Mauritius to train Mauritian
diplomats.
Security and law enforcement collaborations were also
reinforced through an MoU on the Sharing of White Shipping Information between
the Indian Navy and the Mauritius Police Force, aimed at enhancing maritime
security.
Further strengthening financial oversight, the Financial
Crimes Commission of Mauritius and India's Enforcement Directorate signed an
MoU to bolster efforts in combating financial crimes.
In the economic sector, an MoU was inked between the
Ministry of Industry, SMEs, and Cooperatives of Mauritius and India's Ministry
of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, fostering collaboration in the
development of MSMEs.
Another agreement was signed between the Ministry of
Public Service and Administrative Reforms of Mauritius and India's National
Centre for Good Governance to train Mauritian public officers.
The two nations also formalised an MoU between the Indian
National Centre for Ocean Information Services, under India's Ministry of Earth
Sciences, and the Department for Continental Shelf, Maritime Zones
Administration, and Exploration under the Mauritius Prime Minister's Office.
This agreement aims to enhance cooperation in ocean-related research and
exploration.
The high-level engagements and agreements signed during
PM Modi's visit reaffirm the growing strength of India-Mauritius relations,
paving the way for deeper collaboration across diverse sectors, from governance
and infrastructure to trade, security, and culture.
