Port Louis/New Delhi, April 9 (NationPress) External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar met with Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam on Thursday, extending warm regards and best wishes from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Characterizing the India-Mauritius relationship as diverse and impactful, Jaishankar highlighted the impressive advancements made over the past year in various sectors.

In a post on social media, the External Affairs Minister expressed, “It was a pleasure to meet Prime Minister Ramgoolam of Mauritius and convey PM Narendra Modi’s best wishes. Our partnership has shown exceptional and meaningful growth in the last year. We discussed several aspects, including development cooperation, health, education, capacity building, mobility, technology, maritime security, and people-to-people connections, alongside recent developments in West Asia and their implications. I deeply appreciate PM Ramgoolam’s unwavering dedication to the lasting friendship between India and Mauritius.”

Jaishankar is on a four-day visit to Mauritius and the UAE from April 9 to 12, 2026.

During his stay in Mauritius (April 9-10), he will take part in the 9th Indian Ocean Conference and engage in extensive discussions with the island nation’s leadership to evaluate the full breadth of bilateral ties. He is also expected to deliver a keynote address at the conference.

The 9th Indian Ocean Conference, co-hosted by the Ministry of External Affairs, the India Foundation, and the Government of Mauritius, will run from April 10 to 12 under the theme ‘Collective Stewardship for Indian Ocean Governance’.

This flagship event annually convenes heads of government, senior officials, scholars, and specialists from the Indian Ocean Region to deliberate on maritime security, economic growth, environmental sustainability, and evolving geopolitical dynamics.

On the sidelines of the conference, Jaishankar is anticipated to interact with representatives from other participating nations. This visit reaffirms India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, Vision MAHASAGAR, and its robust commitment to the Global South.

In the second phase of his tour (April 11-12), Jaishankar will proceed to the United Arab Emirates for an official visit, where he will confer with UAE leaders to evaluate bilateral cooperation and further strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations.

The trip to Mauritius occurs amid recent developments in West Asia.

India has welcomed the two-week ceasefire deal between the United States and Iran, expressing hope for lasting peace in the region.

The Ministry of External Affairs reiterated that dialogue and diplomacy are vital to resolving the conflict that has inflicted significant suffering on civilians and disrupted global energy supplies.

India has also stressed the importance of ensuring unimpeded freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.