The visit reinforces the continuing positive momentum and trends in the special relationship, Foreign Secretary Kwatra says
 
President Droupadi Murmu was at the centre of a flurry of diplomatic and social engagements during her three-day visit to Mauritius from March 11-13, 2024.
 
On March 12, 2024, she participated as a chief guest at the National Day celebrations of Mauritius.
 
She met with President of Mauritius Prithvirajsing Roopun and Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth. During these interactions, they discussed ways to further advance the close relations between the two countries.
 
Talking about the meetings at a special media briefing on Wednesday (March 13, 2023), Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said President Murmu and President Prithvirajsing Roopun "discussed ways to further advance our exceptional and close relations between our two countries.
 
At the same time, President Murmu and Prime Minister Jugnauth expressed satisfaction over the progress made in the relationship " They assessed progress in our partnership across various domains, reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen the bilateral ties across all sectors, as well as between peoples of our two countries, which remain a special foundation of our relationship," Foreign Secretary Kwatra said.
 
During his briefing, Foreign Secretary Kwatra highlighted the following:
 
1. President Murmu announced Government of India's support to supply 200 electric buses to Mauritius and redevelopment of the Ganga Talav area, which was warmly welcomed by Mauritian Prime Minister Jugnauth. 
 
2. She also announced the Government of India's decision that the special dispensation under which Mauritian nationals of Indian origin were eligible for overseas citizens of India cards, OCI cards, up to the sixth generation will now be extended to seventh generation Mauritians of Indian origin. 
 
3. Along with the Mauritius Prime Minister, she laid the foundation stone of the forensic science laboratory project, which is being built with India's development assistance. 
 
4. Additionally, they virtually inaugurated 14 small development projects which are funded through Indian grant assistance.
 
According to Foreign Secretary Kwatra, several important Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were exchanged in the presence of President Murmu and Prime Minister Jugnauth:
 
1. MoU between the Union Public Service Commission of India and the Public Service Commission of Mauritius for partnership in the field of sharing of experiences and the areas of recruitment and also developed institutionalized linkages between the two public service commissions.
 
2. Signing of the protocol to amend the India Mauritius Double Tax Avoidance Agreement to it make compliant with base erosion and profit-sharing minimum standards.
 
3. MoU between the GIFT city and Financial Services Commission to facilitate cooperation in the financial services sector including banking, insurance, capital markets and fintech. 
 
4. Cooperation agreement between Central Bureau of Investigation of India and Independent Commission Against Corruption of Mauritius.
 
Highlights of President Murmu’s Visit
 
On March 12, 2024, President Murmu was conferred the degree of Doctor of Civil Law, Honoris Causa, by the University of Mauritius. This was followed by a metro ride to Mahatma Gandhi Station, which is among India's flagship development partnership projects in Mauritius. 
 
She thereafter addressed a civic reception at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute, which was attended by members of the Indian diaspora and representatives of Mauritian social-cultural organizations that were present at the Institute.
 
According to Foreign Secretary Kwatra, President Murmu's visit to Mauritius reflects the growing expanse of long-standing and trusted partnership between India and Mauritius. "The visit reinforces the positive, continuing positive momentum and trends in our special relationship. And it also signals our shared and strong commitment to further intensify our relations with this important partner," he stated. 
 
This was the first outgoing VVIP visit from India to Mauritius since March 2018; Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji had visited Mauritius in March 2015. 
 
This is also the sixth such state visit by an Indian dignitary as the chief guest of the Mauritian National Day since 2000.
 
Incidentally, March 12, the date marking both the Independence Day and Republic Day of Mauritius, was consciously chosen by the Mauritian leaders to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi since it was on this day that Gandhiji began his famous Dandi march. "This fact alone testifies to the close, special and historical bonds that exist between India and Mauritius," Foreign Secretary Kwatra remarked.