Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mauritius' Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam oversaw the signing of eight agreements on Wednesday. These agreements cover various areas such as crime investigation, monitoring maritime traffic, infrastructure diplomacy, trade, skill development, finance, and the ocean economy.

In a joint press conference, PM Modi congratulated the people of Mauritius on their National Day and emphasised the strong bond between the two countries. "The relationship between India and Mauritius is not only linked to the Indian Ocean but also to our shared cultural traditions and values. We are each other's partners on the path of economic and social progress. Be it a natural disaster or Covid disaster, we have always supported each other. Be it defence or education or health or space, we are walking shoulder to shoulder in every field," he said.

Reflecting on the achievements of the past decade, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the significant growth in bilateral cooperation. He mentioned key projects that have contributed to this progress, such as the Metro Express, the Supreme Court building, social housing initiatives, and the ENT hospital. He also emphasised digital advancements like UPI and RuPay cards, which have boosted trade and tourism. Additionally, PM Modi spoke about the establishment of Jan Aushadhi Kendras in Mauritius, aimed at providing affordable and quality medicines to the people.

Highlighting the dedication to an "Enhanced Strategic Partnership," Prime Minister Modi declared that India would provide financial assistance for the construction of a new parliament building in Mauritius as a "gift from the Mother of Democracy." He also announced plans to upgrade a 100-kilometer-long water pipeline in Mauritius and launch new community development projects valued at 500 million Mauritian rupees as part of the second phase of collaboration.

"In the next five years, 500 civil servants of Mauritius will be trained in India. An agreement has also been reached on settling mutual trade in local currency on our beaches. The Prime Minister and I agree that defence cooperation and maritime security are an important part of our strategic partnership. A free, open, secure and safe Indian Ocean is our main priority. We are committed to providing full cooperation in the security of the exclusive economic zone of Mauritius," he continued. India will support Mauritius by helping establish a police academy and a national maritime information-sharing centre as part of their security partnership. Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized stronger ties in white shipping, the blue economy, and hydrography.

He also reaffirmed India's respect for Mauritius' sovereignty and expressed commitment to strengthening cooperation through platforms like the Colombo Security Conclave, the Indian Ocean Rim Association, and the Indian Ocean Conference. PM Modi further highlighted the importance of cultural and social connections, adding that India and Mauritius will collaborate on artificial intelligence and digital public infrastructure to promote human development. "Facilities will be provided for Char Dham Yatra and Ramayana trial in India for the people of Mauritius. Emphasis will be given to the protection and promotion of inscribed heritage," he said. On Mauritius' National Day, Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam welcomed Prime Minister Modi and thanked him for his visit, describing it as evidence of the "unique and special relationship" between the two countries. 

"The resounding success of the community event held last evening at the Triano Convention Centre, which gathered both Mauritian citizens and members of the Indian diaspora with a clear illustration of the vibrancy of shared cultural heritage. I am proud to underscore the dynamic partnership between our two countries," he said. He mentioned that although diplomatic relations between India and Mauritius were officially established in 1948, their historical and cultural bond has existed for centuries. "Mauritius continues to benefit from Indian assistance for its socio-economic development," Ramgoolam said, highlighting the signing of the eight MoUs as another milestone in bilateral cooperation. Several important agreements were signed between India and Mauritius to strengthen cooperation. One of these was a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Reserve Bank of India and the Central Bank of Mauritius, introducing a Local Currency Settlement System. This system will simplify financial transactions between the two countries.

Another significant agreement was a Credit Facility Agreement between the Government of Mauritius and the State Bank of India. This funding will support projects under the Pipe Replacement Programme, which aims to improve Mauritius' water infrastructure. Additionally, an MoU was signed between the Institute of Foreign Service of India and Mauritius' Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration, and International Trade. This agreement will help train Mauritian diplomats. In the area of security and law enforcement, an MoU was signed between the Indian Navy and the Mauritius Police Force for sharing White Shipping Information. This collaboration aims to strengthen maritime security. Mauritius and India have signed multiple agreements to strengthen their collaboration in various sectors. To improve financial oversight, Mauritius' Financial Crimes Commission and India's Enforcement Directorate signed an MoU to jointly combat financial crimes.

In the economic sector, an MoU was signed between Mauritius' Ministry of Industry, SMEs, and Cooperatives and India's Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises to support the growth and development of MSMEs. Another agreement was established between Mauritius' Ministry of Public Service and Administrative Reforms and India's National Centre for Good Governance. This partnership aims to provide training for Mauritian public officers. Additionally, an MoU was signed between India's National Centre for Ocean Information Services (under the Ministry of Earth Sciences) and Mauritius' Department for Continental Shelf, Maritime Zones Administration, and Exploration (under the Prime Minister's Office). This agreement will promote cooperation in ocean research and exploration. Prime Minister Modi's visit strengthened India-Mauritius ties, with key agreements and high-level talks boosting cooperation in areas like governance, infrastructure, trade, security, and culture.

Meanwhile, the Indian Navy also took part in Mauritius' National Day parade. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seen saluting the Indian Navy contingent as it marched past, carrying a placard with "India" written on it and holding a tricolour flag. An Indian Navy helicopter also flew over the parade as thousands watched. The marching contingent and the helicopter were part of the crew from INS Imphal, which is currently docked in Port Louis for the National Day celebrations. During its stay, INS Imphal is participating in various activities such as training programs, cultural exchanges, friendly sports matches, and community outreach efforts. These initiatives aim to boost bilateral relations and strengthen maritime security cooperation between the two nations.  Additionally, a joint Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) surveillance and exercise with Mauritius Coast Guard ships is planned. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was invited as the Chief Guest at Mauritius' National Day for the second time, having first received this honour in 2015. 

This rare gesture highlights the strong bond between India and Mauritius, built on shared history, culture, and connections with the Indian diaspora. In 2023, PM Modi was also invited to France's Bastille Day Parade, marking another significant moment that reflected India's growing military and strategic ties with France. The parade, which featured Indian tri-service personnel marching alongside French troops on the Champs-Elysees, showcased India's rising influence in global geopolitics.