Modi begins Mauritius trip as two countries aim to strengthen ties

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his two-day visit to Mauritius on Tuesday by highlighting India's emotional bond with the island nation, as the two countries seek to enhance ties in a variety of areas. He will inaugurate a number of initiatives, ranging from capacity building to community-focused infrastructure.

“Mauritius is like a garden of various cultures. A 'mini India' resides in Mauritius. I understand your emotional connection with Bihar and Bhojpur,” Modi said while addressing a diaspora event, TNIE reported.

Prime Minister Modi, addressing the crowd in Bhojpuri, asked if everyone was doing well. “Today, I am very happy to be here with you,” he said in Bhojpuri drawing a huge applause. “Several Hindi hit songs have been shot in popular tourist spots in Mauritius. There is no corner left in Mauritius that has not appeared in Bollywood music,” Modi said.

“We will bring Bihar's pride back,” Modi said explaining, “When most places of the world were far from education, Bihar had the Nalanda Global Institute. Our government has revived Nalanda and its spirit. Lord Buddha's teachings are inspiring the world for global peace.”

“Everyone is talking about Bihar's Makhana. The day is not far when Makhana will be part of the global menu,” Modi said. He stated that India will seek to convene a Girmitiya conference and create a database to examine the history of indentured workers, both of which will resonate with the diaspora. Girmitiyas were Indian labourers brought to work on plantations in British colonies during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The name "girmitiya" comes from a vernacular English phrase that refers to the indenture contract. Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam has announced that Prime Minister Modi will receive the country's highest distinction, "The Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean." Earlier, Modi stated that the Mauritian Prime Minister and his wife Veena Ramgoolam would receive Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards.

Modi, who will be the chief guest at Mauritius' Independence Day festivities on Wednesday, will meet with his counterpart Navin Ramgoolam, sign multiple Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), and inaugurate a number of India-supported projects. The Prime Minister will also unveil several big infrastructure projects aimed at bolstering democracy in the Southeast African island nation. Modi and Navin Ramgoolam will jointly inaugurate the Civil Services College building, which was completed at a cost of $4.75 million. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for this project was signed in 2017. Modi will e-inaugurate the Area Health Centre and 20 community initiatives, which cost approximately Rs 7 crore. These community initiatives involve sports infrastructure as well.

“The community development projects, which are small-scale initiatives implemented quickly at the grassroots level. Some of these projects are related to sports, such as the development of football fields and other sports facilities, which are spread across Mauritius,” Anurag Srivastava, India's High Commissioner to Mauritius said.