Indian PM Narendra Modi on Tuesday held a telephone conversation with Mauritian counterpart, Navinchandra Ramgoolam, when they shared a commitment to further deepen the Enhanced Strategic Partnership between the two countries.
“They discussed the ongoing cooperation across a broad range of areas, including development partnership, capacity building, defence, maritime security, digital infrastructure, and people-to-people ties,” read a statement issued by the Indian government sharing details about the conversation.
During the conversation, PM Modi appreciated the whole-hearted participation of PM Ramgoolam in the 11th International Day of Yoga.
Prime Minister Modi reiterated India’s steadfast commitment to the development priorities of Mauritius in line with Vision MAHASAGAR and India’s Neighbourhood First policy.
Prime Minister extended invitation to PM Ramgoolan for an early visit to India. Both leaders agreed to remain in touch.
India-Mauritius relationship
Mauritius was one of the handful of important countries with which independent India established diplomatic relations in 1948, even before the independence of Mauritius.
India was represented by an Indian Commissioner in British-ruled Mauritius between 1948 and 1968 and thereafter, by a High Commissioner after Mauritius became independent in 1968.
The relationship has been characterized by a high level of trust and mutual understanding at the leadership level and continued high-level political engagement.
These special ties have resulted in uniquely close cooperation in maritime security, development partnership, capacity-building, cooperation in international fora, technical assistance through deputation of Indian experts to GOM, vibrant cultural exchanges and close people-to-people ties.
The close bonds are especially evident in the numerous India-assisted development projects that dot the Mauritian landscape.
The enduring cultural and people-to-people ties between India and Mauritius are nurtured by the Indian Cultural Centre in Mauritius (India’s biggest in the world), the World Hindi Secretariat, a bilateral organization for the global promotion of Hindi, the Mahatma Gandhi Institute (set up with Indian assistance to promote the study of Indian culture, languages and Indology) as well as over a hundred Mauritian socio-cultural organisations that preserve and promote Indian heritage and culture in Mauritius.
Since 2005, India has been among the largest trading partners of Mauritius.
For the FY 2023-24 Indian exports to Mauritius was USD 778.03 mn, Mauritian exports to India was USD 73.10 mn and total trade was USD 851.13 mn. Trade has grown in the last 18 years, from USD 206.76 million in 2005-06 to USD 851.13 million in 2023-24.
