Port Louis: Mauritius Foreign Minister Dhananjay Ramful recently praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, attributing India’s swift economic rise to his leadership. He believes India is on track to become the world’s third-largest economy, transforming into both an economic powerhouse and a global superpower.
Ramful expressed his admiration during an exclusive interview with IANS in Port Louis. He highlighted how the relationship between India and Mauritius continues to evolve, saying, “Having a strong connection with India is a privilege for us.”
Prime Minister Modi just returned to India after a significant visit to Mauritius. He was the Chief Guest at Mauritius’s National Day celebrations, a role he also held in 2015. During the celebrations, Modi received the ‘Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean’ (GCSK), marking the first time an Indian leader has been awarded this honor.
Ramful mentioned the deep historical ties between the two nations, noting India’s consistent support in various projects, including the need for a new Parliament in Mauritius. “India has always been there for us, especially in our major projects,” he said.
He also spoke highly of Modi’s ‘Viksit Bharat’ vision, showcasing India’s commitment to progress. “The initiatives launched by PM Modi have already shown great success, and I’m optimistic about the future,” he added.
Addressing concerns about China’s growing influence in the Indian Ocean, Ramful affirmed that while China is an economic partner, India is essential for regional security. “We recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with India to share maritime information, which strengthens our ties,” he explained. He remains confident that China won’t disrupt the strong bond between Mauritius and India.
During Modi’s visit, he and Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam discussed various aspects of their comprehensive relationship, focusing on upgrading their partnership to an Enhanced Strategic Partnership. This partnership is rooted in shared history, language, and culture, reflecting their unique connection.
Additionally, Modi engaged with Mauritian leaders to explore collaborations in vital sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare, digital technology, and artificial intelligence. As Mauritius and India continue to work closely together, their partnership serves as a model for international cooperation.
This strengthening relationship is backed by recent statistics that show a 12% increase in trade between India and Mauritius over the past year, emphasizing the growing interdependence between the two nations. As both countries move forward, their collaboration will likely play a significant role in shaping the future of the Indian Ocean region.
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