Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrapped up his two-day State Visit to Mauritius on Thursday, expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam and the people and government of Mauritius for their warm hospitality.
Highlighting the second day of his visit, PM Modi attended the vibrant Mauritius National Day parade in Port Louis and offered prayers at the sacred Ganga Talao. Thousands of people lined the roads for kilometers, eager to catch a glimpse of the Indian Prime Minister as he made his way to the revered site.
During his visit, PM Modi was honored with Mauritius’ highest civilian award by President Dharam Gokhool. This marked the second occasion PM Modi was invited as the Chief Guest for Mauritius’ National Day, having first held the honor in 2015.
A particularly spiritual moment of the visit was PM Modi’s prayer offering at the Ganga Talao, where he mixed holy water brought from the Prayagraj Mahakumbh with the sacred waters of the Mauritian lake, symbolizing the deep cultural ties between the two nations.
In a historic gesture, PM Modi was also bestowed with the Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean, Mauritius’ highest national award. Despite heavy rain, thousands of Mauritians gathered to witness the Indian leader accept this prestigious honor on their National Day.
Expressing his gratitude, PM Modi remarked, “I am deeply honored to receive the highest national award of Mauritius. This is not just my honor; it is the honor of 1.4 billion Indians. It reflects the centuries-old cultural and historical bonds of kinship between India and Mauritius, our shared commitment to regional peace, progress, security, and sustainable development, and the hopes and aspirations of the Global South.”
Strengthening educational and innovation ties, PM Modi and Prime Minister Ramgoolam jointly inaugurated the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Public Service and Innovation. PM Modi emphasized the institute’s role as a hub for learning and research, aiming to inspire future generations in both nations.
PM Modi’s visit underscored the deep-rooted friendship and partnership between India and Mauritius, marked by shared cultural heritage, collaborative development, and a vision for a prosperous future.
