India-Mauritius special bonds: 14 India-assisted projects to be inaugurated at President Murmu’s visit this week

India has close and longstanding relations with Mauritius, an island nation in the Western Indian Ocean, anchored in shared history, demography, culture and strategic partnership. A key reason for the special ties is the fact that Indian origin people comprise nearly 70% of the island’s population of 1.2 million.

The relationship has been characterized by a high level of trust and mutual understanding at the leadership level and continued high-level political engagement. These special ties have resulted in uniquely close cooperation in maritime security, development partnership, capacity-building, cooperation in international fora, technical assistance through deputation of Indian experts to GOM, vibrant cultural exchanges and close people-to-people ties, officials explained.

In this backdrop President Droupadi Murmu, will undertake a State Visit to Mauritius from 11th to 13th March, to attend the National Day celebrations of Mauritius on 12th March as the Chief Guest. A contingent of the Indian Navy will participate in the celebrations along with two Ships of the Indian Navy's First Training Squadron — INS Tir and CGS Sarathi.

During the visit, Murmu and Mauritius Prime Minister Jugnauth will jointly inaugurate 14 India-assisted projects. Important bilateral agreements will be inked on the occasion that seek to further strengthen the robust bilateral institutional collaboration and capacity-building cooperation.

Expanding its strategic outreach PMs of India and Mauritius last month jointly inaugurated via