Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam announced on Friday that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the ‘Guest of Honour’ at Mauritius’ 57th National Day celebrations. PM Modi is scheduled to visit Port Louis on March 11-12 to participate in the momentous occasion.
Addressing the Parliament, Ramgoolam expressed his delight in hosting such a globally recognized leader, emphasizing Modi’s packed schedule and recent diplomatic engagements in Paris and the United States.
“I have great pleasure to inform the House that following my invitation, Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, has kindly agreed to be the Guest of Honour for our National Day celebrations. It is indeed a singular privilege for our country to host such a distinguished personality who is doing us this honour despite his very tight schedule and his recent visits to Paris and the United States,” said Ramgoolam.
The Mauritian Prime Minister further underscored the significance of Modi’s visit, calling it a testament to the deep and enduring ties between India and Mauritius.
“He has agreed to be here as our special guest. The visit of Modi is a testimony of the close relations between our two nations,” he added.
It is understood that PM Ramgoolam sought to announce PM Modi’s visit in Parliament to reinforce bilateral ties with India. Mauritius celebrates its National Day annually on March 12, marking its independence from British rule in 1968. The day also signifies the nation’s transition to a republic within the Commonwealth in 1992.
Strengthening India-Mauritius Relations
Earlier in November 2024, PM Modi congratulated Ramgoolam on his historic electoral victory in Mauritius. In his message, Modi expressed his eagerness to work closely with the new Mauritian leadership to strengthen the “special and unique partnership” between the two nations.
Sharing a post on X, Modi wrote, “Had a warm conversation with my friend @Ramgoolam_Dr, congratulating him on his historic electoral victory. I wished him great success in leading Mauritius and extended an invitation to visit India. Look forward to working closely together to strengthen our special and unique partnership.”
Following this, India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited Mauritius in December 2024 and met with PM Ramgoolam. According to a statement from India’s Ministry of External Affairs, this visit was part of continued high-level engagements, reflecting the priority India places on its relations with Mauritius.
India’s ties with Mauritius are based on shared history, demography, and cultural linkages. A significant aspect of these special relations is that Indian-origin people make up nearly 70 per cent of Mauritius’ 1.2 million population.
Also Read: India plays pivotal role in the Chagos Islands handover to Mauritius
India has also played a crucial role in supporting Mauritius on international matters. Notably, India backed Mauritius in its claim over the Chagos Archipelago, which was previously a part of the United Kingdom’s British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT). The Chagos Archipelago, a group of 58 islands spread over 60 square kilometres, is located around 2,200 km northeast of Mauritius and 1,700 km southwest of Thiruvananthapuram. The UK controlled the archipelago for decades before finally handing over sovereignty to Mauritius in October 2024. India played a quiet yet pivotal role in facilitating the transfer of sovereignty, as acknowledged by both nations.
Diplomatic Engagements and Economic Cooperation
In July 2024, India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, visited Mauritius for a two-day diplomatic engagement. During his visit, Dr Jaishankar held extensive discussions with then Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth and Navin Ramgoolam on various bilateral issues, including development partnerships, defence and maritime cooperation, economic and trade relations, and people-to-people connections. Jaishankar reiterated India’s consistent support for the country in its pursuit of progress and prosperity.
India’s diplomatic initiatives, such as Neighbourhood First, Vision SAGAR, Global South, and Africa Forward policies, place significant emphasis on strengthening relations with Mauritius. Both nations share a vision of a safe and prosperous Indian Ocean Region.
India has been actively involved in the infrastructural and economic development of Mauritius. Over the years, India has extended credit lines and grants for various developmental projects, including the Metro Express project, social housing initiatives, and the development of Mauritius’ Supreme Court building.
With PM Modi’s upcoming visit, the already strong bilateral ties between India and Mauritius are expected to gain further momentum. His presence at the National Day celebrations underscores India’s commitment to deepening strategic, economic, and cultural relations with Mauritius, a key partner in the Indian Ocean Region.
