PM Modi arrives in Mauritius for 2-day visit
What's the story
PM Narendra Modi arrived in Mauritius on Tuesday for a two-day state visit. He was invited by his Mauritian counterpart Navinchandra Ramgoolam to attend the island nation's national day celebrations as the guest of honor. PM Modi was warmly welcomed at the airport by Ramgoolam upon his arrival. On Wednesday, a number of Indian military troops will also the nation's 57th national day celebrations, along with an Indian Navy warship and the Indian Air Force's Akash Ganga skydiving squad.
Strengthening ties
PM Modi's visit to strengthen bilateral relations
During his visit, PM Modi will meet Mauritius's top leadership and sign several pacts. These will deal with cooperation in capacity building, trade, and tackling cross-border financial crimes. Before leaving, Modi expressed hope his visit would bring in a "new and bright" chapter in India-Mauritius ties. He highlighted deep mutual trust and shared values of democracy as strengths of both nations.
Community engagement
PM Modi to engage with Indian community in Mauritius
PM Modi will also interact with members of the Indian community in Mauritius. Additionally, he will inaugurate around 20 India-funded projects, ranging from capacity building to community-linked infrastructure, according to news agency PTI. Modi and Ramgoolam will jointly inaugurate the Civil Services College building, the construction of which was completed at an estimated cost of USD 4.75 million based on an MoU signed between the countries in 2017.
Agreements
MoUs to be signed during PM Modi's visit
Furthermore, the Indian Navy and Mauritius authorities will sign a technical agreement on white shipping information exchange. The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services and the Mauritius Prime Minister's Office will sign an MoU to establish a framework for cooperation in maritime zone management. Lastly, India's Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Financial Crime Commission of Mauritius will sign an MoU on combating financial crimes.
Last visit
Modi's last visit to Mauritius
He had previously visited Mauritius in 1998 as BJP National General Secretary to address the International Ramayana Conference in Moka. He returned to the country in 2015, after becoming Prime Minister. During that visit, he announced SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region), India's doctrine of maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean. Mauritius, a former British and French colony that attained independence in 1968, is one of India's biggest trading partners.