Modi's Mauritius Visit: A Celebration of Shared Heritage and New Alliances

During a historic visit to Mauritius, Indian PM Narendra Modi was met with great enthusiasm as he honoured cultural ties and bolstered bilateral relations. His participation in National Day celebrations highlighted shared heritage, strategic partnerships, and the extension of OCI privileges to the Indian diaspora.

In an extraordinary display of admiration, thousands of Mauritians lined the streets for kilometers to catch a glimpse of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he made his way to Ganga Talao, a revered site in Mauritius. The excitement was tangible, underscoring his influence and connection with the people.

Prime Minister Modi's visit to Mauritius marked his second appearance as Chief Guest at the country's National Day, an accolade he first received in 2015. This visit was significant not only for the cultural exchanges, such as the sacred waters of the Ganges being mixed into Ganga Talao, but also for the crucial bilateral meetings that took place.

PM Modi was honored with the 'Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean,' Mauritius's highest national accolade, amid heavy rains and a large, enthusiastic crowd. His recognition stemmed from the deep-rooted cultural bonds shared between India and Mauritius and the enduring commitment to regional peace and development.

During this visit, PM Modi inaugurated the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Public Service and Innovation, reinforcing educational ties and fostering research. Various cooperative agreements were signed, including those focusing on school education curricula and labor recruitment, highlighting the strengthening bilateral ties.

The visit also saw the announcement of extending Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card eligibility to the seventh generation of the Indian diaspora in Mauritius, thereby reinforcing historical ties and offering tangible benefits to the descendants of Indian emigrants.

Overall, Prime Minister Modi's trip solidified the longstanding bonds between the two nations, set the stage for future collaborations, and provided new opportunities for the diaspora in Mauritius.

(With inputs from agencies.)