External Affairs Minister Shri S.M. Krishna paid an official visit to the Republic of Mauritius from July 2 - 4, 2010. He was accompanied by Shri Vivek Katju, Secretary (West) and other senior officials of the Ministry of External Affairs.  The visit was a part of the regular ongoing high-level bilateral exchanges between India and Mauritius. This was also EAM’s first visit to Africa.

2.  During his visit, EAM called on President Sir Anerood Jugnauth and Prime Minister Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam.  He met Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy and Public Utilities Dr. Ahmed Rashid Beebeejaun, Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economic Development Mr. Pravind Kumar Jugnauth. EAM also met his counterpart Dr. Arvin Boolell, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade and discussed issues of mutual interest. EAM laid a wreath at the Samadhi of the Father of the Mauritian Nation Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam.

3.  EAMs discussions with his interlocutors covered the entire canvass of bilateral cooperation between India and Mauritius and touched upon regional and international issues of mutual interest and concern. The views of the two sides on all these subjects were identical. 

4.  EAM and Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam recalled the nature of the “special relationship” which bound the two countries together.  EAM remarked that “the cooperation between India and Mauritius is comprehensive and multidimensional”. He thanked Mauritius for its consistent support to India’s candidature to the UN Security Council as well as its support to India’s candidature for the non-permanent seat of the UNSC for 2011-12. EAM also noted that Mauritius had stood with India all along on issues relating to terrorism and had been unwavering and unequivocal in condemning the 26/11 Mumbai attack. Mauritian leaders expressed their gratitude for India’s consistent support at all times of need and otherwise and noted India’s continued assistance to Mauritius in various sectors.  Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam and Foreign Minister Arvin Boolell expressed their satisfaction over the technical assistance received from India in anti-piracy patrolling and EEZ Surveillance of Mauritian waters to improve security in this region of the Indian Ocean.

5.  The following documents were signed during the visit:

(i) Memorandum of Understanding on the supply of an Offshore Patrol Vessel;

(ii) Agreement on Early Warning of Coastal Hazards between Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) and The Meteorological Services, Mauritius;

(iii) Programme of Cultural Cooperation between India and Mauritius for 2010-2013;

(iv) Agreement between Standardisation, Testing and Quality Control Directorate (STQC), Department of Information Technology, Government of India and the National Computer Board, Government of Mauritius;

(v) Agreement between Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and Mahatma Gandhi Institute (MGI), Mauritius on the establishment of a Visiting Chair of Sanskrit and Indian Philosophy at MGI.

6.    EAM invited the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade of Mauritius Dr. Arvin Boolell to pay a visit to India. EAM also invited Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economic Development Mr. Pravind Kumar Jugnauth to visit India for the 11th Session of the India-Mauritius Joint Commission on Economic, Technical and Cultural Cooperation; EAM and Vice Prime Minister Jugnauth co-Chair the Joint Commission.

7.    Relations between India and Mauritius in the political, economic and cultural fields are comprehensive and extensive. EAM’s visit provided yet another opportunity for further consolidation and development of the traditional, time-tested and historical relations between India and Mauritius.