India-Mauritius Ties Strengthened: Jaishankar's Key Visit

Inauguration of India-Mauritius Maitree Udyan

• Maitree Udyan inaugurated by Dr. S Jaishankar on July 16, 2024, in Port Louis, Mauritius.
• Symbolizes friendship between India and Mauritius
• Tree planting ceremony with Mauritius Foreign Minister Maneesh Gobin
• Represents growing bilateral relations and environmental commitment

Significance of the Visit

• First bilateral visit by Dr. Jaishankar after re-appointment as External Affairs Minister
• Second visit to Mauritius as External Affairs Minister (previous visit in February 2021)
• Follows Mauritius PM Pravind Kumar Jugnauth's attendance at PM Modi's swearing-in ceremony on June 9, 2024
• Demonstrates India's prioritization of Mauritius in foreign policy

Key Engagements and Initiatives

a) High-level meetings:

• Met with Mauritius PM Pravind Jugnauth
• Discussions with Deputy PM Steven Obeegadoo
• Bilateral talks with Mauritius Foreign Minister Maneesh Gobin

b) Civil Service College project:

• Visited the project site in Reduit
• Built with Indian assistance
• Aims to train Mauritian civil servants
• Will serve as a center of excellence in public administration

c) First Overseas Jan Aushadi Kendra:

• Inaugurated in Grand Bois, Mauritius
• Attended by Mauritius PM Pravind Kumar Jugnauth
• Part of Medicilinic set up with Indian assistance
• Will provide secondary healthcare to 16,000 people
• Offers affordable generic medicines

India's Support on Chagos Archipelago Issue

• Dr. Jaishankar reiterated India's support for Mauritius's claim
• Chagos Archipelago: Over 60 islands in the central Indian Ocean
• India's stance aligns with territorial integrity and post-colonial justice

Historical context:

• • UK separated it from Mauritius before granting independence in 1968
  • Refused to return islands, citing strategic importance

Legal developments:

• • 2019: International Court of Justice ruled in favor of Mauritius
  • UK refuses to accept ruling, citing defense and security needs

Mauritius: Country Profile and Relation with India

• African island nation in the Indian Ocean
• Capital: Port Louis
• Currency: Mauritian Rupee
• Prime Minister: Pravind Kumar Jugnauth
• Religion: About half the population are Hindus
• Strong cultural and historical ties with India, especially eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar
• Demographics:
  • About two-thirds of population are of Indian origin
  • Descendants of laborers brought by British for sugarcane plantations
• Language:
  • Official language: English
  • Widely spoken: Creole and Bhojpuri