Rashtrapati Bhavan Summit Reaffirms Deep India-Mauritius Bonds, Eyes Stronger Future Ties
Published on: September 16, 2025
By: BTNI
Location: New Delhi, India
In a heartfelt testament to the enduring kinship between India and Mauritius, Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam called on President Droupadi Murmu at the majestic Rashtrapati Bhavan today, capping his week-long state visit with a reaffirmation of the profound ties binding the two nations. The meeting, steeped in warmth and mutual respect, underscored the unique relationship forged through shared history, language, culture, and values, while setting an optimistic tone for deepening bilateral cooperation in the years ahead.
The encounter, marked by ceremonial grandeur, saw both leaders reflect on the singular bond that positions Mauritius—often called “Chhota Bharat”—as India’s closest maritime ally in the Indian Ocean. President Murmu, in her remarks, lauded the “special and unique” relationship, rooted in the legacy of the 1.2 million Indian-origin Mauritians who form 67% of the island’s population, descendants of 19th-century indentured laborers.
She expressed confidence that Prime Minister Ramgoolam’s vast leadership experience—having served multiple terms since 1995 and steering Mauritius to economic resilience post-2024 elections—would propel the partnership to new heights. “Our ties are not just diplomatic; they are familial, woven through centuries of shared dreams,” Murmu noted, citing the seamless blend of Hindi, Bhojpuri, and Hindu traditions that resonate across both shores.
Ramgoolam, concluding his visit that began in Mumbai on September 9, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the “unbreakable thread” linking the nations. His itinerary, rich with symbolic gestures, included a bilateral summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Varanasi, where agreements on trade, digital innovation, and cultural exchanges were sealed, elevating ties to an “Enhanced Strategic Partnership.” Visits to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and Tirupati’s Bramarishi Ashram underscored the spiritual connect, with Ramgoolam paying homage at Rajghat earlier today, honoring Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy—a nod to his father, Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, Mauritius’ founding leader and a Gandhian ally.
The leaders acknowledged Mauritius’ role as a gateway for Indian investments in Africa, with bilateral trade surpassing $1.5 billion annually and initiatives like the proposed Ayurvedic Centre in Port Louis symbolizing India’s soft power. Discussions likely touched on shared priorities: maritime security in the Indian Ocean, climate resilience for small island states, and skill-sharing programs for youth. Murmu highlighted India’s developmental aid—from metro rail projects to healthcare facilities—that has bolstered Mauritius’ infrastructure, while Ramgoolam praised India’s global leadership in renewable energy and digital inclusion.
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This summit follows Ramgoolam’s earlier engagements with Congress leaders Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, reflecting bipartisan support for the partnership. The visit, which included a business conclave in Mumbai and cultural exchanges in Varanasi, has reinvigorated ties, with both sides eyeing expanded cooperation in fintech, green energy, and education. As Murmu noted, “Our shared values of democracy and pluralism are our strength.”
As Ramgoolam departs, the Rashtrapati Bhavan meeting stands as a beacon of continuity and ambition. From the Girmitya laborers’ sacrifices to modern strategic synergies, India and Mauritius are scripting a future where heritage fuels progress. This dialogue, rich with history and hope, reaffirms that the two nations are not just neighbors across the ocean but siblings bound by an eternal embrace.
