January, Chennai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday jointly inaugurated the projects of India’s Social Housing Units in Mauritius with Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth. Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Modi said, “Mauritius under our Vaccine Friendship Programme was one of the countries to which we had sent the first COVID-19 vaccine. I am happy that today Mauritius is one of the few countries in the world that has fully immunized three-fourths of its population.”
Referring to his Mauritius visit, Prime Minister Modi said, “During the 2015 visit to Mauritius, I had outlined India’s vision of maritime cooperation of SAGAR –– ‘Security and Growth for All in the Region’. I am glad that our bilateral cooperation has implemented this vision. Today our strong development partnership has emerged as a key pillar of our close relationship.”
Prime Minister Modi also said, “I would like to remember the stellar contribution of Late Anirudh Jugnauth to strengthen India-Mauritius ties. He was a visionary leader who was widely respected in India and our Parliament also paid tribute to him. It was our privilege to honour him with the Padma Vibhushan award in 2020.
The two heads of State also launched two other projects –– 8MW Solar PV Farm project and the Civil Service College. These two projects have also received developmental support from India.
Apart from this, India has also extended a $190 million dollar credit line for the country’s Metro Express Project and other infrastructural projects. The MEA’s statement also added that for the implementation of small development projects in Mauritius, a memorandum of understanding will also be signed very soon. Such assistance on projects in Mauritius is a sign of India’s developing Neighbourhood First Policy.
Given China’s foreign minister recently visited Sri Lanka, Maldives and Comoros to unveil various developmental projects, launching of India-assisted projects in the Mauritius should be considered an important development in keeping China balanced within the subcontinent.