Prime Minister of Mauritius, Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam, along with his spouse, Veena Ramgoolam, is on an eight-day visit to India. This marks Prime Minister Ramgoolam’s first bilateral overseas visit to India during his current term. The Prime Minister previously visited India in May 2014 to attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s swearing-in ceremony.
India and Mauritius share a close partnership that dates back to 1948, predating Mauritius’ independence. Over the years, this relationship has evolved into a deep synergy encompassing trade, investment, education, and cultural exchange. India has become a leading trading partner for Mauritius in recent times.
During the visit, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri emphasized the ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and highlighted Mauritius’ importance within the Global South. A significant outcome of the visit is the decision to offer a special economic package to Mauritius. This package includes various elements, such as the development of the Port of Port Louis, assistance for the surveillance of the Chagos Marine Protected Area, and blended financial assistance in the form of grants and a line of credit for major projects.
Discussions are underway between the central banks of both countries to further reinforce the existing understanding and synergy between the two nations. These discussions focus on expanding trade in local currencies.