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Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi undertook a significant state visit to Mauritius, reaffirming the deep-rooted historical, cultural, and strategic ties between the two nations on 11 March 2025. The two days visit marked an important milestone in India-Mauritius relations, focusing on diplomatic cooperation, economic collaboration, and shared commitments to regional stability.
Bilateral Ties Through Symbolic Initiatives
As part of his visit, Prime Minister Modi, along with his Mauritian counterpart Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, planted a tree under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” (Tree for Mother) initiative. This initiative, launched by Prime Minister Modi, symbolizes environmental consciousness and intergenerational sustainability.
Following this, Prime Minister Modi met with Mauritius’ President Dharambeer Gokhool at the State House, where they discussed mutual interests, including India’s contributions to Mauritius’s social, economic, and cultural development. In recognition of his visit, the President hosted a banquet lunch in his honor, followed by a tour of the Ayurveda Garden at the State House, reflecting the deep connection between India and Mauritius in the field of traditional medicine.
Engagement with the Indian Diaspora
A key highlight of the visit was Prime Minister Modi’s address at a large community event at the Trianon Convention Center, attended by members of the Indian diaspora, local Mauritians, and socio-cultural organizations. He emphasized the unique ties between the two nations and the areas in which India and Mauritius could collaborate further, such as climate change, digital transformation, women empowerment, and countering drug abuse.
During the event, Prime Minister Modi also handed over Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) cards to Mauritius’ President Gokhool and Prime Minister Ramgoolam, as well as their spouses. This reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening people-to-people ties and acknowledging the Indian-origin population in Mauritius.
Diplomatic Agreements
In the evening, Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Ramgoolam engaged in high-level diplomatic discussions, including restricted meetings and one-on-one talks. These discussions covered a range of subjects, including defense cooperation, maritime security, economic partnerships, and global and regional concerns.
The discussions culminated in the adoption of a Joint Vision for an Enhanced Strategic Partnership, elevating India-Mauritius ties to a strategic partnership level. This document outlines cooperation in various fields, including: Political exchanges, Developmental projects, Capacity-building initiatives, Economic and trade collaboration, Defense and maritime security cooperation, Cultural and educational partnerships.
Infrastructure and Development Projects
During the visit, Prime Minister Modi announced India’s support for several developmental projects in Mauritius. Notable initiatives included:
1. New Parliament Building: India pledged support for constructing a modern parliamentary complex in Mauritius, enhancing the country’s legislative infrastructure.
2. High-Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs): India
PM Modi receives the highest
Civilian Award of MauritiusPrime Minister Shri Narendra Modi attended the 57th National Day celebrations of the Republic of Mauritius as the Chief Guest.
During the celebrations, President of the Republic of Mauritius H.E. Mr. Dharambeer Gokhool conferred the Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean (G.C.S.K) award, the highest civilian award of Mauritius, on Prime Minister Modi. This is the first time that an Indian leader is receiving this honour. Prime Minister Shri 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.
During the National Day celebrations, an Indian Navy marching contingent participated in the parade. An Indian Naval Ship also made a Port Call to coincide with the National Day celebrations.
announced a grant assistance of 500 million Mauritian rupees for the second phase of these projects, covering essential community amenities.
3. Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Public Service and Innovation: This institute will train Mauritian civil servants and serve as a center of excellence for governance and public administration.
4. Cap Malheureux Area Health Center: This healthcare facility, inaugurated by the two leaders, aims to improve medical services for local communities.
5. 20 Community Projects: These included children’s playgrounds, green space upgrades, and community centers, promoting sustainable urban development.
MoUs and Economic Partnerships
As part of the visit, eight MoUs were exchanged between India and Mauritius, covering:
• Training and capacity-building: India will train 500 civil servants from Mauritius.
• Diplomatic training: Mauritian diplomats will receive training at the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service in New Delhi.
• Local currency settlement of bilateral trade: Building on the success of UPI and RuPay card implementation.
• Combating financial crimes: Strengthening cooperation on anti-corruption and anti-money laundering measures.
• Support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs): Encouraging entrepreneurial growth and economic diversification in Mauritius.
• Indian Rupee-denominated Line of Credit: India extended Rs. 487.6 crore through SBI for replacing Mauritius’ water pipelines, marking the first-ever rupee-based Line of Credit issued by India.
Cultural and Spiritual Connections
In a deeply symbolic act, Prime Minister Modi offered Gangajal from the Prayagraj Mahakumbh at Ganga Talao, a sacred lake in Mauritius. This act reaffirmed the spiritual and cultural ties that have bound India and Mauritius for centuries.
Vision MAHASAGAR: India’s Roadmap for the Global South
During his visit, Prime Minister Modi introduced Vision MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions), an evolution of his earlier Vision SAGAR (Security and Growth Across Regions), announced during his last visit to Mauritius ten years ago. This vision aims to strengthen India’s engagement with the Global South, emphasizing:
• Maritime security
• Sustainable development
• Technological advancements
• Regional cooperation
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s state visit to Mauritius in March 2025 reinforced the historical, cultural, economic, and strategic partnership between the two nations.