India-Mauritius close and enduring ties were highlighted, yesterday, by the High Commissioner of India to Mauritius, Mr Anurag Srivastava, during a reception held at the Trianon Convention Centre to mark India’s 79th Independence Day.

The President of the Republic of Mauritius, Mr Dharambeer Gokhool; the Prime Minister, Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam, the Vice-President, Mr Robert Hungley; the Deputy Prime Minister, Mrs Marie Arianne Navarre-Marie; the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Dr Arvin Boolell; Ministers; members of the National Assembly; members of the diplomatic corps; senior government officials; and other distinguished guests were present.

In his address, High Commissioner Srivastava described the celebration of India’s Independence Day in Mauritius as particularly special, given the two countries’ close historical, demographic, cultural and emotional bonds. He noted that for many Mauritians, India is not simply the land from which their ancestors originated, but remains an integral part of Mauritian life, reflected through language, music, festivals and traditions.

He recalled that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has described Mauritius as “family” to India, underscoring the exceptional nature of the relationship between the two countries.

He highlighted that the bilateral relationship was elevated to an Enhanced Strategic Partnership in March 2025 during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Mauritius, with both countries subsequently translating the vision of their leaders into concrete initiatives benefiting their peoples.

The High Commissioner of India to Mauritius also referred to the US$680 million Special Economic Package announced during Prime Minister Ramgoolam’s visit to India in September 2025, describing it as an expression of India’s continued commitment to Mauritius and its development priorities. He further emphasised the expanding cooperation between the two countries in areas such as infrastructure development, connectivity, public institutions, labour mobility and digital transformation.

Among the recent initiatives, he highlighted the establishment of a government-to-government mechanism for the recruitment and employment of Indian workers in Mauritius, marking labour mobility as an emerging pillar of partnership.

Healthcare cooperation was equally highlighted, particularly the establishment of the Renal Transplant Unit at Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital. The successful completion of the first kidney transplant at the facility in May 2026 was described as a significant milestone in the health partnership between the two countries. Mr Srivastava also underlined India’s support in healthcare professional training, yoga, traditional medicine and the development of healthcare infrastructure.

As regards sustainable development, he pointed to the deployment of 100 Made-in-India electric buses in Mauritius and the floating solar project at Tamarind Falls as examples of cooperation supporting the country’s green transition.

He further announced that India and Mauritius are working together on a number of emerging areas, including the development of a digital judiciary, a joint satellite, weather prediction and early-warning systems, fintech, artificial intelligence and digital public infrastructure.

The Indian High Commissioner also referred to Mauritius’ participation in the AI Impact Summit held in India in February 2026, which provided an opportunity for the two countries to explore the use of artificial intelligence and digital technologies for inclusive and sustainable development.

On security cooperation, Mr Srivastava highlighted that India’s partnership with Mauritius continues to evolve in response to the changing maritime environment of the Indian Ocean. He spoke about cooperation in maritime surveillance, hydrography and maritime domain awareness, noting that the partnership is founded on mutual trust and a shared commitment to a secure and prosperous Indian Ocean.

People-to-people relations, he added, remain at the heart of the bilateral relationship, with India continuing to support initiatives involving OCI cards, training opportunities, scholarships and youth exchanges.

The Indian High Commissioner also welcomed Mauritius as a member of the International Cricket Council, describing it as another dimension of the growing bilateral relationship.

The contribution of Mauritian citizens who have strengthened India-Mauritius ties through their achievements was also recognised during the event.

Mr Srivastava concluded by reiterating that the strongest bridges between India and Mauritius are built by their people.

The reception also featured a photo exhibition, cultural performances, including dance and vocal presentations, showcasing the longstanding cultural bonds between India and Mauritius over the years.

16 August 2026

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Topics: Bilateral cooperation