New Delhi: Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam met President Draupadi Murmu on Tuesday. They discussed the unique and deep ties between the two countries, which are linked to shared history, language, culture and values.
With this meeting, Prime Minister Ramgoolam’s state visit to India from 9 to 16 September concluded. During his visit to India, he visited Mumbai, Varanasi, Ayodhya and Tirupati. Welcoming Prime Minister Ramgoolam and his delegation at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the President said that Mauritius has a special place in India’s ‘Neighbor First’ policy, ‘Ocean Vision’ and New Delhi’s commitment to the Global South.
The President was happy to note that partnership and cooperation between India and Mauritius is constantly growing in every field. He said that this growth is reflected in the recent elevation of relations to the level of ‘Enhanced Strategic Partnership’. The President was happy to note that India is supporting the developmental priorities of the Mauritian government and expressed confidence that the new special economic package will be able to meet the needs of the Mauritian government and its people.
President Draupadi Murmu said projects such as hospitals, roads, port development, defence procurement and joint surveillance will strengthen the infrastructure and have a positive impact on the lives of the people in the years to come. “She noted that bilateral cooperation is now expanding into new areas including digital technologies and the space sector,” a statement issued by the President’s Secretariat after the meeting said.
The two leaders agreed that the relationship between the two countries is unique, rooted in our shared history, language, culture and values. The President expressed confidence that Prime Minister Ramgoolam’s leadership experience will further strengthen the long-standing India-Mauritius bilateral relationship in the times to come.
During his visit, Navinchandra Ramgoolam also met Vice President CP Radhakrishnan and discussed strengthening trade, economic and people-to-people ties between the two countries. Earlier in the day, the Mauritius Prime Minister paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in New Delhi. Ramgoolam, who arrived in New Delhi on Monday night, visited Rajghat and paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.
He also paid tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at Sadaiv Atal. Before arriving in the capital, Navinchandra Ramgoolam, along with his wife, offered prayers at the Tirumala temple in Tirupati. On September 12, Ramgoolam, along with his wife Veena Ramgoolam and a 30-member delegation, offered prayers at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple.
After the Prime Minister of Bhutan, he was the second head of state to visit and worship the grand Ram Lalla. The Mauritius Prime Minister and his wife performed the aarti of Ram Lalla and spent about half an hour in devotion. They also observed the ongoing temple construction work. Ramgoolam had also offered prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi last week.
Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel accompanied him during his visit to the temple. Sharing the photos on Twitter, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal wrote, “Prime Minister of Mauritius Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam offered prayers at the holy Kashi Vishwanath Dham in Varanasi. The visit reflects the deep cultural and civilisational ties that connect India and Mauritius.”
On September 11, Ramgoolam also witnessed the Ganga Aarti at the ghats of Varanasi. During his eight-day visit to India, he also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 11 and the two leaders discussed all aspects of their bilateral cooperation.
