Prime Minister (PM) of India Narendra Modi was on a two-day official visit to the Republic of Mauritius from March 11 to 12, 2025 to strengthen the long-standing relationship between India and the island nation, at the invitation of PM of Mauritius Navinchandra Ramgoolam.
- PM Narendra Modi received a warm welcome from the Indian diaspora in Mauritius, with women honoring him through Geet Gawai, a traditional Bihari Bhojpuri musical performance.
- During his visit, PM Narendra Modi held a bilateral meetings with Mauritius PM Ramgoolam and other leaders, focusing on enhancing bilateral cooperation across various sectors and several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were exchanged.
Note: Geet Gawai was recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization(UNESCO) as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2016.
Highlights of the visit:
57th National Day celebrations of the Republic of Mauritius:
i.On March 12 2025, PM Narendra Modi attended Mauritius’ 57th National Day celebrations at Champ de Mars Racecourse in Port Louis(Mauritius), as the Chief Guest for the second time, following his first visit in 2015.
ii.The Indian Navy(IN) contingent participated in Mauritius’ National Day parade.
iii.The contingent was part of the crew of Indian Naval Ship(INS) Imphal, which arrived in Mauritius for the celebrations. The ship participated in various cultural and training exchanges, including a joint Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) surveillance exercise with Mauritian Coast Guard ships.
iv.During the event, PM Modi presented the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card to President Dharambeer Gokhool and First Lady Meena Gokhool.
- The OCI card, a significant gesture of diplomatic goodwill, grants foreign nationals of Indian origin visa-free travel to India.
PM Modi Honored with Mauritius’ Highest Civilian Award:
During the visit, PM Narendra Modi was conferred with Mauritius’ highest civilian honor, The Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean (GCSK) at the ceremony, held in Port Louis, Mauritius.
- With this PM Narendra Modi became the first Indian to be honored with this recognition.
- This marks the 21st international award conferred on him by a foreign nation.
India & Mauritius Sign Key Agreements to Boost Cooperation:
PM Modi held delegation-level talks with Mauritius PM Ramgoolam. Both countries signed multiple agreements to enhance cooperation. A total of eight MoUs were exchanged.
i.India’s Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Bank of Mauritius have signed an agreement to establish a framework that facilitates cross-border transactions using local currencies, the Indian Rupee (INR) and the Mauritian Rupee (MUR).
ii.The Government of Mauritius signed a credit facility agreement with India’s State Bank of India (SBI), allowing it to access financial support as a borrower.
iii.The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MoMSME) of India and the SME division of Mauritius’ Ministry of Industry, SME, and Cooperatives signed a MoU to enhance cooperation in the MSME sector.
iv.The Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service(New Delhi, Delhi) operating under the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India and Mauritius’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration, and International Trade signed a MoU to strengthen diplomatic training and cooperation.
v.The Ministry of Public Service and Administrative Reforms of Mauritius and India’s National Centre for Good Governance (NCGC) based in New Delhi signed an MoU to enhance cooperation in administrative reforms and governance.
vi.The IN and the Government of Mauritius entered into a technical agreement for sharing White Shipping Information to improve maritime security and surveillance.
vii.The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) under India’s Ministry of Earth Sciences(MoES) and Mauritius’ PM’s Office (PMO), through its Department of Continental Shelf, Maritime Zones Administration and Exploration (CSMZAE), signed an MoU for collaboration in ocean-related studies and research.
viii.The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) of India under the Department of Revenue(DoR), Ministry of Finance(MoF) and the Financial Crimes Commission (FCC) of Mauritius signed an MoU to strengthen cooperation in combating financial crimes and ensuring regulatory enforcement.
Both countries agreed to further strengthen cooperation through:
i.Delivery of 100 electric (e) buses and expansion of community projects
Infrastructure development, including a new Parliament building and Ganga Talao Spiritual Sanctuary
ii.Replacing 100 kilometre (km) of water pipelines using an INR-denominated credit line
iii.Developing a new Parliament building and the Ganga Talao Spiritual Sanctuary with Indian grant assistance.
Key Outcomes of the visit:
i.During the visit, PM Narendra Modi and Mauritius PM Navinchandra Ramgoolam jointly inaugurated the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Public Service and Innovation and Civil Services College building in Mauritius.
- They also inaugurated the Mauritius Area Health Centre at Cap Malheureux and 20 High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs), built at a cost of around Rs. 7 crores.
ii.PM Modi introduced a new vision for the Global South, called “MAHASAGAR” (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions).
- This policy framework aims to enhance regional security and development, particularly in response to China’s growing influence in the Indian Ocean (IO).
iii.PM Modi and Mauritius PM Ramgoolam addressed a gathering of the Indian community at the Trianon Convention Centre, Mauritius joined by Indian professionals, students, and socio-cultural organizations.
v.PM Modi and Mauritius PM Ramgoolam planted a Bael (Wood Apple) sapling at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden in Mauritius under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam initiative.
vi.During his visit to Mauritius, PM Modi presented symbolic gifts to President of Mauritius, Dharambeer Gokhool and First Lady Brinda Gokhool, including Makhana, a nutritious superfood from Bihar.
- He presented a brass and copper pot containing sacred water from the Mahakumbh Mela organized in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh (UP) to Mauritius President Gokhool.
- He gifted a Banarasi saree in a Sadeli box, First Lady Brinda Gokhool showcasing India’s rich textile heritage.
vii.PM Narendra Modi visited the sacred Ganga Talao in Mauritius, a significant Hindu pilgrimage site in the Indian Ocean region (IOR).
About Mauritius:
President– Dharambeer Gokhool
Prime Minister (PM)– Navinchandra Ramgoolam
Capital– Port Louis
Currency– Mauritian rupee (MUR)
