Speech of Hon’ble Minister of State for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs of India, Shri V. Muraleedharan

Signature of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Mauritius Research and Innovation Council (MRIC) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for the Joint Development of a Satellite

01 November 2023, Ebene

Hon’ble Shri Darsanand Balgobin, Minister of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation

Her Excellency, Mrs K. Nandini Singla, High Commissioner of India to Mauritius

Members of the Diplomatic Corps

Mrs Sandrine Valère-Bolli, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation (MITCI)

Dr Kaviraj Sharma Sukon, Chairman of the Mauritius Research and Innovation Council (MRIC)

Professor Theesan Bahorun, Executive Director, MRIC

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies & Gentlemen,

Namaskaram and Good Afternoon!

I am delighted to witness this historic MoU signing between ISRO & MRIC. I believe that this MoU will be a giant leap for India-Mauritius relations as we take our first step together to explore the frontiers of space. As we embark on jointly developing a small satellite for Mauritius, we are taking our partnership into space and showing that ‘sky is not the limit’ for India-Mauritius relationship!

2.       It was decided in February 2021 to support this initiative during the visit of Hon’ble External Affairs Minister, Dr. Jaishankar to Mauritius. Since then, ISRO and the Mauritius Research and Innovation Council (MRIC) have been working meticulously for the joint development of a satellite. The satellite will have a Multi Spectral Imager Payload, and will assist in Earth Observation-based applications for Agriculture, Forestry, Ecosystem, Weather forecast and Ocean/Coastal observation. I am particularly happy that this project also includes capacity building of Mauritian engineers in developing and operating satellites on their own in the future including training in designing, mission and ground station operations. In fact, this groundwork already began last year when MRIC and Mauritius’ ground station supported the launch and seamless tracking of the ‘India-Bhutan satellite’ on a commercial basis.

3.       I am confident that the MoU will pave the way for many future collaborations. I also hope that it will kindle scientific curiosity and encourage more youngsters to pursue STEM subjects, especially girls. Women scientists at ISRO are leading our space missions, be it Mangalyaan or Chandrayaan-3. It is for this reason, our Prime Minister named the landing spot on the moon “Shiv Shakti” as a tribute to Indian women scientists at ISRO.

4.       Today’s MOU is also an illustration of India’s commitment to use its capabilities in Space, Science & Technology for the benefit of the world. As Prime Minister Modi said: “The success of Chandrayaan-3 is not just India’s alone, but belongs to the entire humanity”. In line with this vision and in keeping with India’s civilizational belief in Vasudhaiva Kutumbukam (the world is one Family), India joined 26 other countries and signed the Artemis Accords in June this year to advance a common vision of space exploration that benefits all of mankind.  It is in this spirit that India has been providing free training in designing and producing nanosatellites to engineers from partner countries since 2018 under the UNNATI (UNispace Nanosatellite Assembly & Training) program. I am happy to know that one Mauritian engineer also participated in this programme.

5.       With the spectacular success of India’s Chandrayaan-3 Moon Mission, the Mars Orbiter Mission, and the launch of Aditya, India’s first mission to the Sun, India is now a global space leader looking at bigger challenges like human spaceflight cooperation and setting up an Indian Space Station by 2035. With ISRO having launched more than 380 foreign satellites so far and a record 104 satellites in one single launch, India’s Space economy is projected to grow to $40 billion by 2040.  As India embarks on its development journey of Amrit Kaal over the next 25 years, we look forward to our partner countries like Mauritius joining us on our space odyssey.

6.       Apart from space, I am happy to note that we have been working closely in advancing our cooperation in the field of Science and Technology. To encourage digital literacy, India provided Digital Tablets to 52,480 Mauritian primary school children during last couple of years.  We are now supporting the setting up of a Forensic Sciences Laboratory in Mauritius and working with the Government of Mauritius to introduce E-Governance solutions for Mauritius. We are also offering our globally acclaimed India Stack digital solutions to our partner countries and are in the process of introducing the Rupay Card, the UPI and the Rupee Vostro Account facility in Mauritius.

7.       As India and the world navigate the new realms of AI, blockchain, robotics, digital currencies, augmented reality, etc. India will continue to walk with friends like Mauritius, into this exciting and challenging future.

8.       I take this opportunity to thank the Hon’ble Minister of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation, Shri Deepak Balgobin for his personal leadership and commitment. I also express my gratitude to the MRIC team for their hard work in ensuring that this project materializes.

9.       I am confident that this collaborative venture will shine in the skies as a celestial symbol of our exceptional bilateral relationship.  I am confident that our partnership too will soar greater heights in the years to come.

Jai Hind!

Vive Maurice!

Thank you.

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