Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday asserted that India remains fully committed to strengthening the security of Mauritius’s Exclusive Economic Zone, as India announced a Special Economic Package for Mauritius worth nearly USD 680 million (MUR 30 billion) across health, infrastructure, and maritime security sectors.
“Today, we have announced a Special Economic Package designed to support Mauritius’ needs and priorities. This will strengthen infrastructure, create new employment opportunities, and further enhance healthcare facilities,” PM Modi said while making a joint press statement after his delegation-level talks with visiting Mauritian Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam in Varanasi.
“This package is not an assistance. It is an investment in our shared future,” PM Modi asserted.
Calling Mauritius as a key part of India’s Neighbourhood First policy, PM Modi said a free, open, secure, stable, and prosperous Indian Ocean is a shared priority of both the nations.
“In this context, India remains fully committed to strengthening the security of Mauritius’s Exclusive Economic Zone, and enhancing its maritime capacity,” PM Modi said.
India has always stood as the first responder and a net security provider in the Indian Ocean region, PM Modi said. “India and Mauritius are two nations, but our dreams and destiny are one,” he said.
“Mauritius is a key part of India’s Neighbourhood First policy and our Vision ‘MAHASAGAR’. In March, I had the honour of attending Mauritius’ National Day celebrations, where we elevated our ties to an ‘Enhanced Strategic Partnership’. Today, we reviewed all areas of our cooperation in detail, and also exchanged views on regional and global matters,” PM Modi said.
Reaffirming shared vision for peace and prosperity in the Indian Ocean Region and for the Global South, the two leaders, ahead of their joint press briefing, held delegation-level talks in Varanasi.
Both the nations comprehensively reviewed the Enhanced Strategic Partnership between India and Mauritius and identified new opportunities to deepen collaboration across sectors of mutual interest that will drive shared prosperity for both countries, their peoples, and the region.
The leaders also witnessed MoU exchanges spanning science, oceanography, power, hydrography, community development and Capacity Building.
Making the joint press statement after the delegation-level talks, PM Modi asserted that India and Mauritius are not just partners but a family. He said India takes pride in being a trusted primary partner in Mauritius’ development.
The Prime Minister said the first Jan Aushadhi Kendra outside India has now been established in Mauritius.
“Today, we have also decided that India will extend its cooperation in establishing an AYUSH Centre of Excellence, a 500-bed Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam National Hospital, as well as a Veterinary School and Animal Hospital in Mauritius,” PM Modi said.
“At the same time, we will also advance projects such as the Chagos Marine Protected Area; the ATC Tower at SSR International Airport; as well as the expansion of highways and ring roads,” he said.
The Prime Minister further said India has always supported decolonisation, and the full recognition of Mauritius’ sovereignty, adding that India has always stood firmly with Mauritius in this journey.
He said last year, UPI and RuPay cards were launched in Mauritius. “Now, we will work towards enabling trade in local currencies,” PM Modi said.
“Energy security is an important pillar of our partnership. India is supporting Mauritius in its energy transition. We are providing 100 electric buses to Mauritius, of which 10 have already been delivered,” he said.
The Prime Minister further said the Comprehensive Partnership Agreement concluded in the field of energy will further strengthen this cooperation. “We have also decided to extend support in the establishment of a 17.5 MW floating solar power plant at Tamarind Falls,” he said.
Meanwhile, while addressing the joint press briefing, Mauritian Prime Minister Ramgoolam lauded India’s continuous assistance over the years, highlighting that the country has benefited from India’s expertise in key sectors of national development, including health, education and capacity-building.
Ramgoolam thanked India for announcing a special economic package for Mauritius and recalled PM Modi’s visit to Mauritius earlier this year when the two nations elevated bilateral ties to a higher level with the joint document on enhanced strategic partnership.