India, Mauritius ink key pacts for bilateral cooperation
Prime Minister, Narendra Modi meeting the President of Mauritius, Mr. Rajkeswur Purryag. Image Source: @narendramodiThe Governments of India and Mauritius on Wednesday underwent key agreements and signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation in various issues aimed at strengthening the bilateral relation, especially in terms of maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). In a move towards achieving stronger infrastructure cooperation, both the sides signed a MoU for setting up and upgradation of infrastructure for improving sea and air connectivity at Agalega Island, the outer island of Mauritius. The MoU for infrastructure cooperation was also expected to enhance the capabilities of the Mauritian Defence Forces in safeguarding their interests in the outer island. Under a MoU in the field of Ocean Economy, both the countries also agreed upon mutually beneficial cooperation for exploration and capacity development in the field of marine resources, fisheries, green tourism, Research & Development of Ocean technology, exchange of experts and other related activities. As a protocol between the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India and Ministry of Agro-Industry & Food Security, Republic of Mauritius, it was agreed upon by both sides to ensure ‘facilitation of importing of Indian mangoes by Mauritius’. Under ‘inter alia’ programme to promote people-people interaction for the term during 2015-18, the two sides came forward for mutual exchange of culture and knowledge, which include exchange of cultural troupes, organization of cultural exhibitions, preservation of cultural heritage, promotion of Indian languages, exchange of students, among others. Under a MoU for cooperation in health and medicine, both the sides agreed for exchange of expertise in traditional medicine, with an aim to promote various Indian traditional systems that fall under the Government of India’s Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy (AYUSH) programme. Earlier this week, the Government of India has also agreed to provide naval infrastructure support to Mauritius under maritime security cooperation. In this regard, the Indian Government has commissioned India’s first-ever export warship-Barracuda to Mauritius, on March 12, 2015. Besides this, the Indian government has already cleared exports of 13 other warships to Mauritius and these are expected to be supplied in the coming year.
This article was published on March 12, 2015.
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