Amidst her official visit to Mauritius, President Droupadi Murmu avowed India’s progress across myriad domains, accentuating the nation’s vibrant and forward-moving trajectory. She articulated that the ‘New Bharat’ stands at the precipice of ascending into the top echelons of global economies, spotlighting its remarkable advancements in diverse sectors.
“The contemporary Bharat is making notable headway in all arenas. It exudes dynamism, progressiveness, assertiveness, and is steadfastly steering towards solidifying its position among the top three global economies,” remarked President Murmu.
During her visit to Mauritius, President Murmu, in an address at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute in Port Louis, underscored the historical ties and bilateral collaboration between India and Mauritius.
Emphasizing India’s economic upsurge, the President stated, “This heralds fresh prospects and openings for the Mauritian youth. I’m delighted to announce that with the extension of OCI card eligibility to individuals of Indian descent up to the 7th generation, a plethora of young Mauritians will be afforded the opportunity to reconnect with the soil of their forebears. India has consistently stood in solidarity with Mauritius, reciprocally.”
“Our relations are comprehensive, encompassing every facet of collaboration. Our decades-long developmental partnership serves as a luminous testament to India’s dedication to contributing to Mauritius’ developmental odyssey and elevating the standard of living for the populace. I appreciate the gesture of the Mauritian government in naming the radio station after Mahatma Gandhi and depicting the iconic Dandi Yatra at the station, which holds special significance for both our nations,” she added.
President Murmu also underscored the significance of March 12 for both nations, noting that it marks the commencement of the Dandi March (Dandi Satyagraha) led by Mahatma Gandhi and Mauritius Independence Day.
“On this auspicious day, March 12th, which holds special significance for both our nations—the day on which the historic Dandi march was initiated by Mahatma Gandhi in India in 1930 and subsequently adopted as Mauritius Independence Day—permit me to convey my heartfelt felicitations and best wishes, as well as those of the Indian populace, on this joyous occasion,” she remarked.
“Our economy forged the initial agreement with Mauritius, a pioneering feat for African nations, with the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement in 2021. This will not only bolster bilateral trade and economic relations but also facilitate the expansion of our economic ties with Africa through Mauritius. Defence and military cooperation constitute pivotal pillars of any assistance Mauritius requires, encompassing the provision of defence platforms, deployment of personnel, capacity-building initiatives, or SADR support,” she elaborated.
On Tuesday, President Murmu held discussions with several prominent leaders in Mauritius and graced the 56th Mauritius Independence Day celebrations as the Chief Guest, marking a momentous occasion in the enduring camaraderie between India and Mauritius. She also witnessed the participation of the Indian Navy contingent in the procession.
President Murmu embarked on her three-day state visit to Mauritius on Monday. Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth extended a warm welcome to President Murmu at the airport with full ceremonial honors. She previously announced India’s approval of a special provision to confer Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) status to the 7th generation of individuals of Indian origin in Mauritius.
This decision would enable younger Mauritians of Indian descent to obtain overseas citizenship of India and reconnect with the land of their forefathers. She paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi while reflecting on the special significance of the date (March 12) for both nations. Notably, Mahatma Gandhi initiated the historic salt march from Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad on March 12, 1930.