Indian Navy marching contingent takes part in National Day celebrations of Mauritius
In an emblematic gesture of the enduring friendship and strengthening bilateral relations, Presiden Droupadi Murmu attended the National Day celebrations of Mauritius as the Chief Guest on Tuesday (March 12, 2024).

President Murmu witnessed the impressive parade followed by cultural performances. Among the various marching contingents was also the proudly marching contingent of Indian Navy. Two Ships of the Indian Navy's First Training Squadron - INS Tir and CGS Sarathi - are also visiting Mauritius to mark the occasion.

President Murmu, who is on her inaugural state visit to the island nation of Mauritius from March 11-13 2024, is the sixth Indian President to grace the Mauritian National Day as the Chief Guest since 2000.

On March 12, in a ceremony steeped in symbolism and goodwill, the University of Mauritius awarded President Murmu the honorary degree of Doctor of Civil Law to signify the deep mutual respect and collaborative spirit between the two nations. Her address to the University highlighted the transformative role of education in forging the indelible bond between India and Mauritius. She reminisced about the contributions of Mahatma Gandhi and Mauritian luminaries like Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam and Sir Anerood Jugnauth in leveraging education for societal empowerment and national development.

Highlighting the profound role of the youth in the ongoing narrative of both nations, President Murmu emphasized India's commitment to education and innovation through its forward-looking National Education Policy. She envisaged a robust partnership with Mauritius, focusing on educational exchanges and cooperation that would empower the youth and pave the way for a shared prosperous future.

Earlier, upon her arrival on March 11, 2024, President Murmu was received with full state honors by Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, members of his Cabinet, and an assembly of senior Mauritian dignitaries at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport.

The visit commenced with discussions between President Murmu and her Mauritian counterpart, President Prithvirajsing Roopun, at the State House, Le Reduit. Their discussions were aimed at deepening the unique and multi-dimensional partnership between the two nations. Further symbolizing the cultural ties, President Murmu visited the Ayurvedic Garden within the State House premises, a testament to the shared heritage and mutual respect for traditional knowledge systems.

An emotional tribute was paid by President Murmu at the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden in Pamplemousses, where she laid wreaths at the memorials of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam and Sir Anerood Jugnauth. 

The day concluded with a banquet hosted in President Murmu's honor by Prime Minister Jugnauth, where she eloquently outlined Mauritius' impressive evolution over 56 years of independence. Praising Mauritius as a paragon of democracy, pluralism, and prosperity, President Murmu dubbed the nation's rapid development a "Mauritian Miracle," attributed to its nation-builders' visionary policies. She announced a landmark provision granting Overseas Citizenship of India to Mauritians of the 7th generation Indian origin, a move set to further cement the socio-cultural and people-to-people ties between the two countries.

In a broader context, President Murmu's state visit not only reaffirms the historic ties between India and Mauritius but also sets the stage for a future driven by shared goals, mutual respect, and collective prosperity.