Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar commenced a pivotal two-day visit to Mauritius on Tuesday, marking one of his first official trips during his current term. The visit underscores India’s commitment to strengthening its longstanding partnership with the island nation.
Strengthening Bilateral Ties
On Wednesday, Jaishankar engaged with key political figures in Mauritius to explore ways to enhance the special and enduring relationship between India and Mauritius. His meetings included discussions with opposition leader Arvin Boolell, who expressed support for the deepening of bilateral ties.
In his statements, Jaishankar emphasized the importance of the India-Mauritius partnership, noting that the visit demonstrates the depth and strength of the bilateral relationship. “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,” he said.
Key Meetings and Discussions
Jaishankar’s visit featured high-level discussions with several prominent Mauritian leaders. He met with Arvin Boolell, the leader of the Labour Party, to discuss the significance of the India-Mauritius relationship for the prosperity and stability of the Indian Ocean region.
On social media, Jaishankar expressed his appreciation for the support shown by Boolell: “Welcome his support for the continuous strengthening of our ties,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter).
The Indian External Affairs Minister also met with Xavier Luc Duval, leader of the Parti Mauricien Social Démocrate, and former Prime Ministers Paul Berenger and Navin Ramgoolam. Jaishankar described his interactions with these leaders as fruitful and engaging, highlighting their shared commitment to advancing India-Mauritius relations.
“It was good to meet former Prime Minister Paul Berenger. We had a lively conversation on contemporary global issues and I value his support for India-Mauritius relations,” Jaishankar noted on X. Berenger served as Mauritius’ Prime Minister from 2003 to 2005.
Regarding his meeting with Navin Ramgoolam, Jaishankar commented: “A pleasure to meet with former Prime Minister @Ramgoolam_Dr this morning. We discussed our longstanding bilateral partnership and the broad-based desire for its further growth. Appreciate his expression of support for India-Mauritius ties.” Ramgoolam, whose ancestors migrated from Bihar, served as Prime Minister on two separate occasions, first from 1995 to 2000 and again from 2005 to 2014.
