NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth on Wednesday signed eight Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to strengthen cooperation in banking, trade, security, and governance.
Announcing an upgrade in bilateral ties, PM Modi said, “Today, Prime Minister Navin Chandra Ramgoolam and I decided to give the India-Mauritius partnership the status of ‘Enhanced Strategic Partnership’. We decided that India will cooperate in building the new Parliament building in Mauritius. This will be a gift to Mauritius from the Mother of Democracy.”
The agreements were finalised during a bilateral meeting between the two leaders. Highlighting the deep historical and cultural ties, PM Modi added, “India and Mauritius are connected not just by the Indian Ocean but by shared culture and values. We are each other’s partners on the path of economic and social progress.”
PM Modi also highlighted Mauritius’ role in India’s regional outreach and announced a new initiative for the Global South. “Be it the Global South, the Indian Ocean, or the African continent, Mauritius is our important partner. Ten years ago, the foundation stone of Vision SAGAR – ‘Security and Growth for All in the Region’ was laid here in Mauritius. We have come up with SAGAR vision for the stability and prosperity of this entire region.”
Introducing a broader strategic framework, he said, “For Global South our vision will be – MAHASAGAR – Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions. Under this, trade for development, capacity building for sustainable growth, and mutual security for shared future will be included.”
Key MoUs signed between India and Mauritius:
- Local Currency Settlement System: Agreement between the
Reserve Bank of India and the Central Bank of Mauritius to facilitate trade in local currencies. - Credit facility agreement: A pact between the Government of Mauritius and the State Bank of India to finance water infrastructure projects under the Pipe Replacement Programme.
- Training programme for diplomats: Collaboration between the Institute of Foreign Service of India and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mauritius.
Maritime Security Cooperation : Technical agreement on White Shipping Information sharing between the Indian Navy and the Mauritius Police Force.- Financial crime prevention: MoU between India’s Enforcement Directorate and Mauritius’ Financial Crimes Commission.
- MSME collaboration: Partnership between India’s Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Mauritius’ Ministry of Industry, SMEs and Cooperatives.
- Governance training: Agreement between the National Centre for Good Governance (India) and the Ministry of Public Service of Mauritius for training public officers.
Oceanic research cooperation : MoU between India’s National Centre for Ocean Information Services and Mauritius’ maritime administration.
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