Prime Minister Ramgoolam receives GOPIO International delegation

The Prime Minister, Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam, met this afternoon at the New Treasury Building in Port Louis with a delegation from the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) International, led by its Secretary General, Mr A. Ravendiran Arjunan.

The delegation was accompanied by the High Commissioner of Mauritius to Malaysia, Mr Rabin Gungoo. The meeting followed the 16th GOPIO International Convention, held in Mauritius from 11 to 13 September 2026.

In a statement, Mr Arjunan highlighted that discussions with the Prime Minister focused on Mauritius’ status as the Capital of People of Indian Origin (PIO), which he stated was declared by GOPIO in 1996. The discussions covered the establishment of a monument and other matters related to the status, with the aim of making people aware of Mauritius’ position as the PIO Capital. He pointed out that this could facilitate coordination among PIO communities through GOPIO International.

The possibility of Mauritius hosting a meeting of PIO youth every two years was also discussed. Mr Arjunan outlined that the proposed meeting would bring together PIO youth from around the world to meet and discuss matters of common interest. He also referred to PIO Connect, a platform launched to enable youth to engage digitally between physical meetings.

Reflecting on the outcomes of the convention, Mr Arjunan highlighted the historical and socio-cultural aspects of GOPIO, including the importance of giving participants a clearer understanding of its history. He underscored discussions on business matters and potential cooperation in artificial intelligence, noting that around 70 delegates participated in discussions on the subject. He added that PIO countries with advanced AI capabilities could explore opportunities for collaboration with Mauritius.

16 September 2026

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Topics: Bilateral cooperation