Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned to India on Thursday after concluding a significant two-day State Visit to Mauritius. His visit, marked by key diplomatic engagements and cultural exchanges, reinforced the longstanding relationship between the two nations.
PM Modi was the Chief Guest at Mauritius’ National Day celebrations for the second time, a rare honour he first received in 2015. During his stay, he held productive discussions with Mauritian leaders and engaged with the Indian community residing in the island nation.
A poignant moment of his visit was his prayers at the revered Ganga Talao, where he ceremoniously mixed the sacred waters of the Ganges, brought from the Prayagraj Mahakumbh, into the Ganga Talao (Grand Bassin) in Port Louis. Reflecting on the significance of this act, PM Modi posted on X, “At the Ganga Talao in Mauritius, I had the honour of immersing water from the Triveni Sangam into the Talao. For millions of Hindus around the world, the Triveni Sangam is of special significance. This year’s Mahakumbh drew pilgrims from all over the world, including Mauritius. May the blessings of Maa Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati always remain upon us.”
In recognition of his efforts to foster regional cooperation and cultural unity, PM Modi was conferred the Highest National Award of Mauritius, the ‘Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean.’ Thousands gathered at the venue despite heavy rains to witness the historic moment. Expressing his gratitude, PM Modi remarked, “I express my heartfelt gratitude for being conferred the highest national award of Mauritius. This is not just my honour, it is the honour of 1.4 billion Indians. It is a tribute to the centuries-old cultural and historical bonds of kinship between India and Mauritius. It is an acknowledgement of our said commitment to regional peace, progress, security and sustainable development. And it is a symbol of the shared hopes and aspirations of the global south.”
A key highlight of the visit was the joint inauguration of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Public Service and Innovation by PM Modi and his Mauritian counterpart, Navinchandra Ramgoolam. The institute is expected to become a hub for learning and research, promoting knowledge exchange between the two countries.
The two nations also signed several important agreements aimed at strengthening bilateral ties. These included collaborations on educational curriculum development, labour recruitment, and scientific and technological cooperation. Additionally, they announced the launch of exchange programs via the Char Dham and Ramayana trail and established the Directorate of Science and Technology in Mauritius.
PM Modi’s visit culminated with a warm invitation extended to PM Ramgoolam to visit India, further underscoring the close ties between the two nations. At a banquet dinner hosted in his honour, PM Modi emphasized the boundless nature of India-Mauritius relations and their shared commitment to regional peace and security.
Addressing the Indian community in Mauritius, PM Modi announced the extension of OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) card eligibility to the seventh generation of the Indian diaspora in Mauritius. He personally presented OCI cards to the President of Mauritius and his spouse, as well as to PM Ramgoolam and his spouse, in a gesture highlighting India’s enduring support for its global diaspora.
As PM Modi returned to India, his visit left an indelible mark on India-Mauritius relations, paving the way for deeper cooperation and cultural solidarity between the two nations.
