India and Mauritius upgraded their ties to an enhanced strategic partnership as PM Narndra Modi held talks with his counterpart, Navinchandra Ramgoolam, reaffirming commitment to a free, open and secure Indian Ocean and pledging full support for the security of Mauritius’s exclusive economic zone, including deployment of ships and aircraft.
Modi also advanced the vision of ‘Mahasagar’ (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) for the Global South, 10 years after he announced India’s ‘Vision Sagar’. “It shall encompass the ideas of trade for development, capacity building for sustainable growth, and mutual security for a shared future. We will extend cooperation through technology sharing, concessional loan and grants,” he said.
Modi described Mauritius as a special partner in the region. Modi’s meeting with Ramgoolam was followed by signing of eight agreements and several announcements, including construction of a new Mauritius Parliament building by India, which Modi said would be a gift from the “mother of democracy.”
India had last year welcomed the UK-Mauritius agreement for Mauritian sovereignty over the Chagos archipelago, which houses a US-UK military base, and Modi reiterated India’s “firm support” for Mauritius on this issue.
Ramgoolam thanked Modi for his personal support and engagement with global leaders on this issue, according to a joint statement that described the two countries as natural partners.
PM Modi gets highest civilian award
PM Modi was conferred the Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean award, the highest civilian award of Mauritius during the 57th National Day celebrations of the country. The award was presented to Modi by Mauritius president Dharambeer Gokhool. This is the first time that an Indian leader is receiving this honour. Modi dedicated this award to the special friendship between India and Mauritius and to the 1.4 billion people of India and their 1.3 million brothers and sisters in Mauritius.