Blitz Bureau
INDIA reiterated its consistent support to Mauritius for the restoration of Mauritian sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago while underlining “unwavering commitment” to its special and enduring partnership with the East African island nation.
Territorial integrity
“As we look at our deep and enduring relationship, Prime Minister, I would like to again assure you today that on the issue of Chagos, India will continue its consistent support to Mauritius in line with its principal stand on decolonisation and support for sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations,” said External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar while jointly addressing the media with the Prime Minister of Mauritius, Pravind Kumar Jugnauth.
The EAM, on a two-day visit to Mauritius, held extensive discussions with Jugnauth on various aspects of bilateral ties, including the development partnership, defence and maritime cooperation, economic and trade ties, and people-to-people linkages.
The EAM, along with the Mauritius Prime Minister, inaugurated high impact community development projects, exchanged MoUs, and handed over the first Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards to two seventh-generation Indian-origin Mauritians.
As many as 12 community development projects – covering infrastructure, education, healthcare, public amenities, and sports – were virtually inaugurated on July 16.
“With this, 37 out of 96 such community projects have become operational in the span of just one year. Eight more, I understand, will be inaugurated in the next two months in Rodrigues and Agalega,” the Minister detailed. An exchange of Project Plan Document between India’s ISRO and Mauritius MRIC, boosting space cooperation between the two countries as India looks forward to launching a satellite for Mauritius.
During the ceremony, the EAM handed over a royalty payment cheque of 1.3 million Mauritian rupees towards revenues earned from the sale of Mauritian nautical charts produced by the joint hydrography service.
India will support the Mahatma Gandhi Institute in digitising the documented records of indentured workers, as well as provide training to MGI staff through the National Archives of India.
Chair in Sanskrit
The two countries also agreed to renew the term of the ICCR Chair in Sanskrit and Indian Philosophies at the MGI for another five years.
On July 17, the EAM and the Mauritius PM are scheduled to inaugurate a Mediclinic, built with Indian grant assistance, in Grand Bois.
