During the two-day Mauritius visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, eight agreements were signed between the two countries. The most important among these is the agreement to facilitate trade settlement in local currencies, such as the Indian rupee and the Mauritius rupee. Apart from this, maritime security cooperation and development partnership are also included.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned to Delhi from a two-day state visit to Mauritius late on Wednesday night. With this visit, the relationship between India and Mauritius has reached the level of an extended strategic partnership. PM Modi said that he is committed to providing full cooperation in the security of Mauritius's special economic zone. He signed 8 agreements including maritime security and trade in local currencies during his Mauritius visit.

PM Modi and his Mauritian counterpart Navinchandra Ramgoolam have agreed to facilitate trade settlement in local currencies, such as the Indian rupee and the Mauritius rupee. The two leaders also agreed to hold the second session under the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA) to further strengthen trade, economic cooperation and partnership between the two countries.

Unique relationship between India and Mauritius

India and Mauritius have a special and unique relationship in which the bonds of history, language, culture, heritage and kinship are clearly visible. The most widely spoken language in Mauritius is also Bhojpuri. Which is originally spoken in a part of India. PM Modi said that an independent, free, safe and protected Indian Ocean is a shared priority of India and Mauritius.

PM Modi said that he and Ramgoolam agreed that defense cooperation and maritime security are an important part of the strategic partnership between the two countries. The statement issued said that both sides will increase maritime cooperation by increasing the deployment of ships and aircraft for joint maritime surveillance and hydrographic surveys. During this, PM Modi also emphasized on the development of the Global South.

These 8 agreements were signed between the two countries

The statement 'India-Mauritius Joint Vision for Advanced Strategic Partnership' issued by the Prime Minister's Office said that over the past several decades, the relationship between the two countries has continuously strengthened and developed into a comprehensive strategic partnership. During PM Modi's visit, a total of 8 agreements were signed between the two countries, including political exchange, development partnership and health and education cooperation.

Political Exchange: Under this, both the countries agreed to strengthen cooperation on sharing best practices on parliamentary proceedings. Also agreed to intensify the dialogue between the parliamentarians of both the countries.

Development Partnership: Under this, trade, new parliament building, exploring new areas of development cooperation and human resource development and capacity building are included under the Rupee Line of Credit Agreement.

Space and Climate Change: Under this, working together towards the successful development and launch of India-Mauritius satellite, including training for Mauritian scientists at ISRO. Also, Mauritius has to find new avenues of cooperation in this area.

Health and education cooperation: This includes deputation of an expert from India to digitize health services in Mauritius, preparing a roadmap for development in education and cooperation on the establishment of Directorate of Science and Technology.

Economic and trade cooperation: This includes organizing the second session of the High Power Joint Trade Committee under CECPA, facilitating trade settlement in local currencies, ratifying the protocol on amendment of the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement soon.

Digital cooperation: Strengthening cooperation in the field of ICT including e-judiciary system and digitization of records at Mahatma Gandhi Institute, cyber security and use of equipment developed in India.

Cultural and people-to-people relations: Supporting Mahatma Gandhi Institute in preserving records, strengthening diaspora engagement through scholarships and providing facilities for Char Dham Yatra and Ramayana Yatra for the people of Mauritius.

Defence and maritime security cooperation: Includes increasing deployment of aircraft for maritime surveillance and hydrography surveys, cooperation in securing Mauritius' EEZ, setting up of a National Maritime Information Sharing Centre and conducting training programmes for the Mauritius Police Force.

PM Modi was on a two-day visit to Mauritius on 11 and 12 March. He attended the 57th National Day celebrations of Mauritius as the chief guest. This was the second time after 2015 that PM Modi participated in the National Day celebrations of Mauritius. Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam conferred the country's highest honour, The Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean, to PM Modi. PM Modi is the first Indian to receive this honour.