India to Assist Mauritius in Building New Parliament
India and Mauritius have strengthened their diplomatic ties through the signing of eight Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) covering various sectors, including banking, trade, security, and governance. This collaboration highlights the longstanding historical and cultural ties between the two nations, reinforcing their strategic partnership.
During the bilateral discussions, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced, “Today, Prime Minister Navin Chandra Ramgoolam and I decided to give the India-Mauritius partnership the status of ‘Enhanced Strategic Partnership’. We decided that India will cooperate in building the new Parliament building in Mauritius. This will be a gift to Mauritius from the Mother of Democracy.”
India-Mauritius Relations Strengthen with Key Agreements
The agreements signed include:
- Local Currency Settlement System: An agreement between the Reserve Bank of India and the Central Bank of Mauritius to enable trade in local currencies, reducing dependency on foreign currencies.
- Credit Facility Agreement: A pact between the Government of Mauritius and the State Bank of India to support water infrastructure projects.
- Diplomatic Training Program: A collaboration to enhance the skills of Mauritian diplomats.
- Maritime Security Cooperation: A technical agreement for White Shipping Information sharing to bolster maritime security.
- Financial Crime Prevention: An MoU between enforcement agencies to combat financial crimes and money laundering.
- MSME Collaboration: A partnership to promote the growth of small and medium enterprises.
- Governance Training: A training agreement to improve public administration.
- Oceanic Research Cooperation: A collaboration for oceanic research and maritime information sharing.
MAHASAGAR: A New Vision for Global Growth
Prime Minister Modi also introduced a strategic initiative aimed at fostering regional and global cooperation. He stated, “Be it the Global South, the Indian Ocean, or the African continent, Mauritius is our important partner. Ten years ago, the foundation stone of Vision SAGAR – ‘Security and Growth for All in the Region’ was laid here in Mauritius.”
Expanding on this vision, he added, “For Global South our vision will be – MAHASAGAR – Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions. Under this, trade for development, capacity building for sustainable growth, and mutual security for a shared future will be included.”
India’s Continued Support for Mauritius’ Development
India has previously contributed to Mauritius’ development through various infrastructure projects. In 2020, the Indian government assisted in the construction of the new Supreme Court building in Port Louis. The upcoming Parliament building, supported by India, is yet another example of the close cooperation between the two nations.
This initiative not only strengthens bilateral ties but also aligns with India’s vision of supporting regional partners in their economic and governance development. Through these efforts, India continues to expand its role as a key strategic partner in the Global South.
