The visit underscores the importance of the India-Mauritius relationship
In a manifestation of the close partnership between the two nations, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will visit Mauritius on July 16-17, 2024.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the visit marks one of the first bilateral engagements undertaken by EAM Jaishankar after his re-appointment. It follows the recent visit of Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth to India for the swearing-in ceremony of the new cabinet and Council of Ministers. EAM Jaishankar had previously visited Mauritius in February, 2021.

During the visit, EAM Jaishankar will call on Prime Minister Jugnauth and will hold bilateral meetings with other senior ministers of the Government of Mauritius. In addition, he will engage with other prominent Mauritian leaders. "The visit will provide an opportunity for both sides to comprehensively take stock of various facets of the bilateral relationship," the MEA stated. 

Growing India-Mauritius Bilateral Cooperation

The visit underscores the importance of the India-Mauritius relationship, and is a reflection of India’s ‘Neighbourhood First Policy’, Vision SAGAR, and commitment to the Global South. It also reaffirms the continued commitment of both countries to strengthen further the multi-dimensional bilateral relationship and deepen close people-to-people ties.

Earlier this year, Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Jugnauth jointly inaugurated a new airstrip and jetty in addition to several community development projects in the Indian Ocean nation’s Agalega Island. The India-assisted Agalega Airstrip, Saint James Jetty, and six community development projects were inaugurated by the two leaders via video conferencing on February 29, 2024.

Prime Minister Modi said the projects would give a further boost to the bilateral partnership; Prime Minister Jugnauth thanked India for its unconditional support to Mauritius.

On February 12, 2024, Prime Minister Jugnauth had joined Prime Minister Modi and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe to launch India's Unified Payment Interface (UPI) in their respective countries. Mauritius also launched RuPay services in the country during the event joined by the three leaders via video conferencing.

The year began on a positive note for India-Mauritius bilateral ties with India's Union Cabinet approving a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and the Mauritius Research and Innovation Council (MRIC) to develop a Joint Small Satellite. 

Key aspects of this collaboration include the engagement of Indian industries in developing satellite subsystems, potentially generating employment opportunities in India, and ensuring the sustained support of the Mauritius Government for the Indian Ground Station in Mauritius.