India and Mauritius on Thursday deepened their strategic and developmental partnership with the signing of multiple agreements and the announcement of a Special Economic Package exceeding $ 680 million.

The announcements were made during the ongoing State visit of Mauritian Prime Minister Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam to India.

Ahead of their joint press briefing in Varanasi, the two leaders held wide-ranging discussions on bilateral, regional, and global matters, which concluded with the signing of seven Memorandums of Understanding across areas such as science and technology, oceanography, public administration, power, small development projects, hydrography, and space cooperation.

Among the key agreements was a space collaboration pact for setting up telemetry, tracking, and communication stations, along with a renewed focus on maritime research and hydrographic mapping.

In the field of education, new MoUs were also signed between the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras and the University of Mauritius, and between the Indian Institute of Plantation Management, Bengaluru and the University of Mauritius.

It was further confirmed that NTPC Ltd. will soon send a team to Mauritius to finalise an agreement for the development of a 17.5 MW Floating Solar PV Project at Tamarind Falls.

One of the major highlights of the visit was the India-Mauritius Joint Announcement of a Special Economic Package. On a grant basis, India has agreed in principle to fund the construction of a new Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam National Hospital, establish an AYUSH Centre of Excellence, develop a Veterinary School and Animal Hospital, and provide helicopters for public purposes. The estimated cost of these projects is about $215 million or MUR 9.80 billion.

On a grant-cum-line of credit basis, both countries have agreed to complete the construction of a new Air Traffic Control tower at SSR International Airport, develop Motorway M4 and Ring Road Phase II, and facilitate the acquisition of port equipment for the Cargo Handling Corporation Ltd. These projects are valued at approximately $440 million or MUR 20.10 billion.

Strategically, the two sides also reached in-principle agreements on the redevelopment and restructuring of Mauritius' main port, as well as on Indian assistance for the development and surveillance of the Chagos Marine Protected Area. In addition, India will provide Mauritius with $ 25 million in budgetary support for the current financial year.

The Indian government reaffirmed its consistent support for Mauritius's sovereignty and development objectives. Prime Minister Modi, during the press briefing, congratulated Prime Minister Ramgoolam on the recent progress regarding the Chagos Archipelago, calling it "a historic victory for Mauritius's independence" and reiterating "India's longstanding support for decolonisation."

Prime Minister Ramgoolam expressed deep appreciation for India's role in Mauritius's progress, underlining that the bilateral relationship is now rooted not only in history but also in "shared values, mutual respect, and a forward-looking development agenda."

The visit of Prime Minister Ramgoolam, which runs from September 9 to 16, continues to reinforce India's position as a trusted partner in Mauritius's national development and regional stability.