History of Bilateral Relations | Influence of the Indian National Movement | High-Level Visits
Bilateral Agreements with Mauritius | Political | Defence Cooperation | Economic and Commercial Relations
Credit Lines Extended to Mauritius | Education and Language | ITEC and Technical Cooperation | Consular
Cultural Relations | Pravasi Bharatiya Divas | World Hindi Secretariat
Bilateral Agreements with Mauritius | Political | Defence Cooperation | Economic and Commercial Relations
Credit Lines Extended to Mauritius | Education and Language | ITEC and Technical Cooperation | Consular
Cultural Relations | Pravasi Bharatiya Divas | World Hindi Secretariat
INDIA-MAURITIUS BILATERAL RELATIONS
High-Level Visits :
- Bilateral relations between India and Mauritius have been characterised by regular exchanges at the highest political level. Recent Prime Ministerial visits from Mauritius include visits in 2005, 2007, and 2008. From the Indian side, the last Prime Ministerial visit was in 2005. The most recent Presidential visit from India was in 2006 and from Mauritius in 2002.
Recent High-Level Visits from India
- Hon'ble President Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil was on a State Visit to Mauritius from April 24-28, 2011. She held wide-ranging discussions with President Sir Anerood Jugnauth and Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam and also had meetings with The Hon'ble Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Mr. Bernard Sik Yuen, the Speaker of the National Assembly Mr. Rajkeswur Purryag and the Leader of the Opposition Mr. Paul Berenger. Hon'ble President addressed the National Assembly, unveiled a bust of late Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Indian Culture (IGCIC), hosted a reception for the Indian community at the IGCIC, paid her respects at the Samadhi of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam at the SSR Botanic Garden, and visited the Aapravasi Ghat and Le Morne World Heritage sites. She was accompanied by a nearly 6o member-strong business delegation. She also addressed the India-Mauritius Business Forum and visited the Mahatma Gandhi Institute (MGI) during her State Visit.
- Hon'ble External Affairs Minister Shri. S.M. Krishna paid an official visit to Mauritius from July 2-4, 2010. He met President Sir Anerood Jugnauth, Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy and Utilities Dr. Rashid Beebeejaun; Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economic Development Pravind Jugnauth and Foreign Minister Arvin Boolell. Five Agreements were signed during the visit. These dealt with supply of an Offshore Patrol Vessel; Programme on Cultural Cooperation; Early Warning on Coastal Hazards; Information Technology Security; and setting up of a Chair of Indian Philosophy and Sanskrit at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute.
- Then President of India, Hon'ble Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, visited Mauritius from March 11-13, 2006 as the Chief Guest for Mauritius' Independence Day celebrations. The President met President Sir Anerood Jugnauth, Prime Minister Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Rashid Beebeejaun, Leader of the Opposition Paul Raymond Bérenger, Speaker of the National Assembly Rajkeswur Purryag and Chief Justice Bernard Sik Yuen. He addressed the National Assembly in the presence of Mauritian Members of Parliament and intellectuals. He also interacted with University and school students, CEOs of IT firms working in Mauritius, and members of the local fishing community.
- The Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh was on a State Visit to Mauritius from March 30 to April 2, 2005. He met President Sir Anerood Jugnauth, then Prime Minister Paul Raymond Bérenger, then Deputy Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, then Leader of the Opposition Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam, then Speaker of the National Assembly and the Chief Justice of the Mauritius Supreme Court. Important issues discussed during these meetings included enhancing economic cooperation through greater exchanges between India and regional fora like SADC; Indian support for creating a knowledge and educational hub in Mauritius; support for development of Small and Medium Enterprises in Mauritius; progress in setting up a World Hindi Secretariat; among others. Four important agreements were signed including bilateral cooperation in fighting international terrorism; cooperation in the field of environmental protection; enhancement of air services between the two countries; and a line of credit from the Export-Import Bank of India for the construction of a sewerage project in Mauritius. The Prime Minister addressed the Mauritian National Assembly and underscored the shared democratic strengths and pluralistic traditions of India and Mauritius. The Prime Minister inaugurated the Cyber Tower at Ebene, which was constructed by a consortium of two Indian companies, with the help of a Government of India line of credit of US$ 100 million. He also dedicated the newly constructed Swami Vivekananda International Convention Centre to the people of Mauritius. During the visit, the Prime Minister paid homage at the Samadhi of the Father of the Mauritian nation, Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam. He also visited the Aapravasi Ghat (the site where the original indentured labourers from India first landed in Mauritius) and unveiled a commemorative plaque.
- Minister of External Affairs, Shri Pranab Mukherjee visited Mauritius from December 17-19, 2007 to co-chair the Tenth Meeting of the India-Mauritius Joint Commission on Economic, Technical and Cultural Cooperation meeting. An MOU between the Ministry of External Affairs of India and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Cooperation of Mauritius for the establishment and development of an Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Trade in Mauritius was signed during the visit. EAM also visited the Aapravasi Ghat and paid homage at the Samadhi of the Father of the Mauritian nation, Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam.
Recent High-Level Visits from Mauritius
- The Prime Minister of Mauritius, Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam paid a State Visit to India from October 23 - 28, 2005. The accompanying delegation included the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Rama Krishna Sithanen, then Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Cooperation, Madan Murlidhar Dulloo and a high-level official delegation comprising senior officials and a business delegation. Dr. Ramgoolam called on the President and held official level talks with Prime Minister. PM Ramgoolam also met the External Affairs Minister, Minister for Commerce & Industries, the Leader of the Opposition and the UPA Chairperson, Smt. Sonia Gandhi. Bilateral agreements/MOUs signed during the visit included a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty in Criminal Matters; an Agreement on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons; an MOU for Cooperation in the field of Hydrography; an MOU on Harmonisation of Standards between concerned agencies; an MOU for Cooperation on Consumer Protection and Legal Metrology; an MOU between IIPA and Government of Mauritius; and an MOU on setting up a Preferential Trade Agreement to eventually lead to a Free Trade Agreement and closer integration of the two economies. A line of credit of US$100 million (with a grant element of 25%) was offered to the Government of Mauritius to facilitate these projects.
- On the invitation of Smt. Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson, Indian National Congress, Prime Minister Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam visited New Delhi from January 28 - February 1, 2007 to participate in the International Conference on "Peace, Non-Violence and Empowerment: Gandhian Philosophy in the 21st century" in the context of the Satyagraha Centenary celebrations. He addressed the session on "Gandhian philosophy for poverty eradication, education and people's empowerment". The Conference was also attended by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Paul Raymond Bérenger and ex-deputy leader of MMM and former IT Minister, Mr. Pradeep Jeeha. Mr. Showkutally Soodhun and Mrs. Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun represented the MSM party. Prime Minister Ramgoolam met Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and EAM and paid a courtesy call on Smt. Sonia Gandhi. Shri Nitish Kumar, Chief Minister of Bihar paid a courtesy call on PM Ramgoolam and invited him to visit Bihar.
- In January 2008, Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam accompanied by the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Dr. Rama Krishna Sithanen visited India as the Chief Guest for the 6th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. During the event he was conferred with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award.
- On the invitation of Chief Minister of Bihar, Shri Nitish Kumar, Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam accompanied by his spouse, Mrs. Veena Ramgoolam and senior officials visited Bihar in February 2008. During the visit, Prime Minister Ramgoolam unveiled a statue of his father, Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam in Patna and paid a visit to the native village of his forefathers in Harigaon in Bhojpur district. He also visited Bodh Gaya, Nalanda and Rajgir. Later, he visited Rajasthan and met the then Chief Minister Smt. Vasundhra Raje and addressed the Legislative Assembly in Jaipur. In Delhi, Dr. Ramgoolam met Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.
- Other High Level visits undertaken during the last four years from India to Mauritius and from Mauritius to India are as follows:
PRESIDENTIAL VISITS
| S.No | Dates of visit | Dignitary | Remarks |
| 1. | 1985 | Giani Zail Singh | |
| 2. | March 2001 | Shri K.R. Narayanan | Chief Guest for Mauritius’ Independence Day celebrations on March 12, 2001 |
| 3. | March 11-13, 2006 | Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam |
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| 4. | April 24-28, 2011 | Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil |
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| 1. | 1992 | Sir Veerasamy Ringadoo | |
| 2. | 1993 | Mr. Cassam Uteem | |
| 3. | 1997 | Mr. Cassam Uteem | |
| 4. | January 25-27, 2002 | Mr. Cassam Uteem | Chief Guest at India’s Republic Day |
| 5. | December 2007 | Sir Anerood Jugnauth | Private visit |
| 6. | December 14-21, 2008 | Sir Anerood Jugnauth |
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| 7. | November 29-December 18, 2009 | Sir Anerood Jugnauth |
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VICE PRESIDENTIAL VISITS
| S.No | Dates of visit | Dignitary | Remarks |
| 1. | December 1985 | Shri R. Venkataraman | Represented India at funeral of Governor General Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam |
| 2. | 1991 | Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma | |
| 3. | 1994 | Shri K.R. Narayanan | |
| 4. | 1998 | Shri Krishan Kant | |
| 1. | 1995 | Sir Rabindranath Ghurburrun | |
| 2. | 2005 | Mr. Raouf Bundhun | |
| 3. | January 2006 | Mr. Raouf Bundhun |
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| 4. | January 7-9, 2009 | Mr. Angidi Veeriah Chettiar |
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PRIME MINISTERIAL VISITS
| S.No | Dates of visit | Dignitary | Remarks |
| 1. | June 1970 | Smt. Indira Gandhi |
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| 2. | 1976 | Smt. Indira Gandhi | |
| 3. | August 1982 | Smt. Indira Gandhi | Addressed National Assembly on August 24, 1982 |
| 4. | July 1986 | Shri Rajiv Gandhi |
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| 5. | 1992 | Shri P.V. Narasimha Rao | |
| 6. | February 4-5, 1997 | Shri H.D. Deve Gowda | |
| 7. | 1998 | Shri I.K. Gujral | |
| 8. | March 11-13, 2000 | Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee |
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| 9. | March 30 to April 2, 2005 | Dr. Manmohan Singh |
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| 1. | 1969 | Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam | First visit after Mauritius’ Independence on March 12, 1968 |
| 2. | 1975 | Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam | Participated in the 1st World Hindi Conference. Co-Chair with Smt. Indira Gandhi |
| 3. | 1977, 1979 | Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam | 1977 - First overseas bilateral visit after victory at General Elections |
| 4. | 1985 | Sir Anerood Jugnauth | First overseas bilateral visit after victory at General Elections |
| 5. | January 1990 | Sir Anerood Jugnauth | Chief Guest at India’s Republic Day |
| 6. | 1991 | Sir Anerood Jugnauth | First overseas bilateral visit after victory at General Elections |
| 7. | 1995, 1996, 1998 | Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam | 1995 – First overseas bilateral visit after victory at General Elections |
| 8. | 2001 | Sir Anerood Jugnauth | First overseas bilateral visit after victory at General Elections in 2000 |
| 9. | January 2003 | Sir Anerood Jugnauth |
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| 10. | November 19-24, 2003 | Paul Raymond Bérenger | First overseas bilateral visit after victory at General Elections |
| 11. | October 23 - 28, 2005 | Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam |
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| 12. | January 28 – February 1, 2007 | Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam |
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| 13. | January 2008 | Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam |
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| 14. | February 2008 | Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam |
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PARLIAMENTARY VISITS
| S.No | Dates of visit | Dignitary | Remarks |
| 1. | June 16-20, 2000 | Shri G.M.C. Balayogi, Hon’ble Speaker of the Lok Sabha | Led a 16 member Indian Parliamentary delegation |
| 2. | January 17-21, 2010 | Smt. Meira Kumar, Hon’ble Speaker of the Lok Sabha | Led a 12 member Indian Parliamentary delegation |
| 1. | January 28 – February 1, 2007 | Mr. Paul Raymond Bérenger, Opposition/MMM Mr. Pradeep Jeeha, Former IT Minister and ex-deputy MMM Leader. Mr. Showkutally Soodhun and Mrs. Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun represented the MSM party |
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| 2. | October 2008 | 26-member Parliamentary delegation |
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| 3. | January 2010 | Mr. Rajkeswur Purryag, Speaker, National Assembly | Attended Commonwealth Presiding Officers Conference |
MINISTERIAL/VIP VISITS
| S.No | Dates of visit | Dignitary | Remarks |
| 1. | November 29-30, 2004 | Smt. Sonia Gandhi, President, Indian National Congress | Inaugurated Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre |
| 2. | January 2005 | Shri E. Ahamed, Minister of State for External Affairs | Led Indian delegation to the UN Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) |
| 3. | November 21-23, 2006 | Shri Vayalar Ravi, Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs | To publicise the 5th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas |
| 4. | July 26 - August 1, 2007 | Shri Nitish Kumar, Chief Minister of Bihar | Chief Guest at the “Diaspora Week” organised by GOPIO |
| 5. | October 15-16, 2007 | Shri T. R. Baalu, Minister of Shipping, Road Transport & Highways | Inaugurated the new Mauritius Maritime Training Academy |
| 6. | November 1-5, 2007 | Smt. Meira Kumar, Hon’ble Minister of Social Justice and Empowerments |
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| 7. | December 17-19, 2007 | Shri Pranab Mukherjee, External Affairs Minister | To co-Chair Tenth India-Mauritius Joint Commission Meeting |
| 8. | March 10-13, 2008 | Shri Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Chief Minister of Haryana | As guest of PM Navin Ramgoolam to participate in the 40th anniversary celebrations of the independence of Mauritius |
| 9. | November1-3, 2009 | Dr. Shashi Tharoor,Minister of State for External Affairs |
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| 10. | February 8 - 10, 2010 | Dr. Ramesh Chandra Pokhriyal, Chief Minister of Uttarakhand | Participated in Maha Shivaratri Festival |
| 11. | February 21-24, 2010 | Shri K.R. Periyakaruppan, Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments of the Tamil Nadu State Government | Visited Mauritius from at the invitation of the Vice President of Mauritius |
| 12. | May 2-6, 2010 | Shri Navin Chawla, Chief Election Commissioner of India | Guest of the Electoral Commissioner of Mauritius during the May 5, 2010 General Elections in Mauritius |
| 13. | July 2-4, 2010 | Shri. S.M. Krishna, External Affairs Ministers |
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| 14. | May 16, 2011 | Smt. Preneet Kaur, Minister of State for External Affairs | MOS (PK) was in Mauritius to co-Chair the Second Meeting of the Governing Council of the World Hindi Secretariat on May 16 |
| 15. | September 14-17, 2011 | Shri. Veerappa Moily, Minister of Corporate Affairs | Chief Guest at the International Conference on Corporate Governance and Sustainability |
| 1. | January 2004 | Pravind Jugnauth,Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance | Led the Mauritian delegation to the 2nd Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in New Delhi |
| 2. | January 26-February 9, 2009 | Ms. Sheilabai Bappoo, Minister of Social Security, National Solidarity and Senior Citizens Welfare & Reform Institutions | Visited Pune and Mumbai |
| 3. | February 2009 | Mr. Asraf Dulull, Minister of Information and Communication Technology | Attended NASSCOM Meet in Mumbai |
| 4. | March 22-27, 2009 | Dr. Ramakrishna Sithanen, Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economic Empowerment |
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| 5. | August 2009 | Mr. Asraf Dulull, Minister of Information and Communication Technology |
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| 6. | September 3-4, 2009 | Dr. Arvin Boolell, Minister of Foreign Affairs, regional Integration and International Trade | Informal Ministerial Meeting in New Delhi |
| 7. | January 7 – 9, 2010 | 1. Mr. Anil Bachoo, Minister for Public Infrastructure, Surface Transport and Shipping, and 2. Dr. Vasant Bunwaree, Minister for Education, Culture and Human Resources | Led the Mauritian delegation to the 8th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in New Delhi |
| 8. | January 17-22, 2010 | Dr. Ramakrishna Sithanen, Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economic Empowerment | Investment Mission to New Delhi and Mumbai. Accompanied by MD, Board of Investment and CEO, Financial Services Commission. |
| 9. | January 22-24, 2010 | Dr. Arvin Boolell, Minister of Foreign Affairs, regional Integration and International Trade |
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| 10. | March 15-18, 2010 | Mr. Asraf Dulull, Minister of Information and Communication Technology |
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| 11. | June 27 – July 2, 2010 | Mr. Showkutally Soodhun, Minister of Industry and Commerce | Renewal of STC-MRPL contract (2010-2013) for supply of petroleum products to Mauritius |
| 12. | July, 2010 | Dr. Rajeshwar Jeetah, Minister of tertiary Education, Science, Research and Technology |
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| 13. | October 2-16, 2010 | Mr. Satyaprakash Ritoo, Minister of Youth and Sports | Head of Mauritius delegation to Commonwealth Games (CWG 2010) in New Delhi |
| 14. | January 6-10, 2011 | Dr. Rajeshwar Jeetah, Minister of Tertiary Education, Science, Research and technology |
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