Did Mauritius PM Ramgoolam Receive a Warm Welcome in Mumbai During His 8-Day India Visit?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- PM Ramgoolam's visit aims to enhance bilateral ties.
- Strengthening the Enhanced Strategic Partnership is a priority.
- Key meetings with Indian leaders are scheduled.
- Varanasi is prepared for the upcoming visit.
- Historical ties between India and Mauritius underline the visit's significance.
Mumbai, Sep 9 (NationPress) Prime Minister of Mauritius, Navinchandra Ramgoolam, touched down in Mumbai on Tuesday for an official visit aimed at enhancing the Enhanced Strategic Partnership between Mauritius and India.
His stay in India is scheduled until September 16, marking his inaugural overseas bilateral visit during his current term.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed, "A visit that will further strengthen the India-Mauritius Enhanced Strategic Partnership. A warm welcome to PM Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam of Mauritius as he arrives in Mumbai on a State Visit to India," in a post on X.
In Mumbai, he is set to participate in a business event and will meet with President Droupadi Murmu and engage in discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to advance their strategic partnership.
Beyond Mumbai, the Mauritian PM is planned to visit Varanasi, Ayodhya, and Tirupati.
Preparations are underway in Varanasi for the visit of PM Modi and Mauritian PM Ramgoolam on September 11, featuring extensive decorations and arrangements.
Previously, Ramgoolam visited India in 2014, being the only non-SAARC leader invited to attend PM Modi's swearing-in ceremony and the Council of Ministers.
The MEA highlighted, "India and Mauritius maintain a close and special relationship grounded in shared historical, cultural, and people-to-people connections. As India's vital maritime neighbor in the Indian Ocean Region, Mauritius occupies a significant position in India's Vision MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Region) and the 'Neighbourhood First Policy,' making it an essential ally in the Global South."
This visit by the Mauritian PM, succeeding PM Modi's trip to Mauritius in March 2025, aims to enhance the strong and enduring bonds between both nations.
In March, PM Modi visited Mauritius for a two-day state visit at Ramgoolam's invitation to partake in the country's 57th National Day celebrations.
During that visit, he held bilateral discussions with Ramgoolam and Mauritian President Dharam Gokhool.
Notably, Mauritius was one of the few nations with which independent India established diplomatic relations in 1948, even prior to Mauritius's own independence.
The partnership has been characterized by a high degree of trust and mutual understanding at the leadership level, alongside ongoing high-level political engagement, as per the MEA.