Modi calls on Mauritian President, discusses ties

Context

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be bestowed with the topmost honour of Mauritius, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean, Mauritian Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam announced on Tuesday.

Mr. Modi is on a two-day state visit to the country. He will also be the chief guest at the National Day celebrations in Mauritius on Wednesday.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Mr. Modi is the first Indian to receive the honour. It is the 21st international honour bestowed upon Mr. Modi by a foreign country.

He also gifted Sangam water from Maha Kumbh in a brass and copper pot, and Makhana to Mr. Gokhool.

The Prime Minister presented a Banarasi silk sari from Varanasi in an intricately inlaid Sadeli box from Gujarat to the First Lady.

India – Mauritius Relations

Historical and Cultural Connections:

Mauritius is a former British and French colony that gained independence from British rule in 1968.

Both countries share a historical connection dating back to the 19th century when Indian indentured labourers were brought to the island under British rule.

Mahatma Gandhi’s visit to Mauritius (Oct 29 – Nov 15, 1901): Advocated education, political empowerment, and ties with India.

Today, nearly 70% of Mauritius’s population traces its roots to India, and this cultural affinity has remained a cornerstone of bilateral relations.

Institutions like the Mahatma Gandhi Institute and the World Hindi Secretariat further nurture these cultural connections.

India’s cultural influence is evident in Mauritius’s language, cuisine, festivals, and traditions.

Political and Diplomatic Engagement:

Diplomatic relation was established in 1948.

Mauritius has consistently supported India’s position in international forums, including at the United Nations (UN) and the Commonwealth.

India, in return, has backed Mauritius’s territorial claim over the Chagos Archipelago, a matter of dispute with the United Kingdom.

Economic and Trade Relations:

Trade: It has grown in the last 18 years, from USD 206.76 million in 2005-06 to USD 851.13 million in 2023-24.

Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA): The first such agreement between India and an African nation, granting preferential market access.

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI): Mauritius was the second largest source of FDI into India for FY 2023-24, after Singapore.

India is developing infrastructure on the Agalega Islands, improving air and naval connectivity

Mauritius is a member of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), an initiative led by India to promote solar energy adoption.