While addressing the Parliament, PM Ramgoolam said, “I have great pleasure to inform the House that following my invitation, Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, has kindly agreed to be the Guest of Honour for our National Day celebrations.”
“It is indeed a singular privilege for our country, to host such a distinguished personality who is doing us this honour, despite his very tight schedule and his recent visits to Paris and the United States,” he further said, ANI reported.
Ramgoolam added that the visit demonstrates the two nations’ strong and long-standing connection, adding, “He has agreed to be here as our special guest. The visit of Modi is a testimony of the close relations between our two nations.”
Mauritius will commemorate its National Day next month on March 12. It was on this day in 1968 that the country earned independence from Britain.
India has a close and enduring relationship with Mauritius, an island nation in the Western Indian Ocean. A crucial reason for these close ties is that Indian-origin people account for approximately 70% of the island’s 1.2 million population.
Last year in November, PM Modi congratulated Navin Ramgoolam on his historic electoral victory.
He wrote, “Had a warm conversation with my friend @Ramgoolam_Dr, congratulating him on his historic electoral victory. I wished him great success in leading Mauritius and extended an invitation to visit India. Look forward to working closely together to strengthen our special and unique partnership.”
(Edited by : Sudarsanan Mani)
