37 such High Impact Community Development Projects have become operational in the span of just one year, notes EAM Jaishankar
In a development that marks another milestone in the close bilateral part ties between the two countries, 12 High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs) implemented in Mauritius with Indian assistance were inaugurated virtually in St Louis on Tuesday (July 16, 2024).
 
The event took place in the presence of Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth and visiting Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. 
 
Space cooperation between the two sides has also been translated into concrete action with the exchange of Project Plan Document between India's ISRO and Mauritius MRIC. "We look forward to its early implementation so as to launch a satellite for Mauritius," EAM Jaishankar remarked during his joint address with Prime Minister Jugnauth.
 
Here are some of the other developments that were highlighted during the joint address:
 
1. EAM Jaishankar 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 India-Mauritius hydrography service. 
 
2. India will support the Mahatma Gandhi Institute in digitizing the documented records of indentured workers, as well as provide training to MGI staff through the National Archives of India. 
 
3. India has agreed today to renew the term of the ICCR Chair in Sanskrit and Indian Philosophies at the MGI for another five years.
 
4. EAM Jaishankar distributed Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Cards to two 7th generation Mauritian citizens.
 
5. On Wednesday (July 17, 2024), EAM Jaishankar will join Prime Minister Jugnauth in inaugurating the Mediclinic in Grand Bois, built with Indian grant assistance.
 
6. He will also visit another Indian assisted project, the Civil Service College in Moka, which will be ready for inauguration soon.
 
"We truly take pride that our collaboration changes the lives of ordinary citizens in this country, through many community development projects," EAM Jaishankar said. He pointed out that 37 out of 96 such community projects had become operational in the span of just one year, including the 12 that were virtually inaugurated on Tuesday. 
 
Prime Minister Jugnauth and EAM Jaishankar earlier had a bilateral meeting to discuss different facets of the India-Mauritius relationship. 
 
In his remarks, Prime Minister Jugnauth said, "We had fruitful discussions on the future contours of Strategic Partnership between Mauritius and India".
 
According to EAM Jaishankar, they discussed various aspects of bilateral ties, including the Development Partnership, Defence and Maritime Corporation, economic and trade ties, and people-to-people linkages.
 
He pointed out that Mauritius was one of the first countries that he was visiting in his current term as External Affairs Minister. "It underscores the strength and depth of our bilateral ties. It is also an opportunity to underline India's unwavering commitment to its special and enduring partnership with Mauritius," EAM Jaishankar stated. 
 
He also utilised the opportunity to reiterate India's consistent and continued support to Mauritius in its quest for progress and prosperity. 
 
"After all, our ties with Mauritius benefit from four Indian priority foreign policy approaches. You are part of our Neighbourhood First Policy, of our Vision SAGAR, of our Africa Forward Initiative, as well as of our commitment to the Global South. In addition, we share the closest of bonds from history and kinship," he said.