Mauritius to Celebrate National Day on March 12
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the Guest of Honour at upcoming Mauritius National Day celebrations on March 12, 2025. The announcement was made by Mauritius Prime Minister, Dr. Navin Ramgoolam, in an address to the Mauritian Parliament on February 21, 2025.
“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,” Dr. Ramgoolam told the Parliament. He expressed gratitude for Prime Minister Modi’s acceptance of the invitation, despite his tight schedule, which included recent international trips to Paris and the United States. The Mauritian Prime Minister added, “It is indeed a singular privilege for our country to host such a distinguished personality who is doing us this honour.”
Dr. Ramgoolam emphasized the significance of PM Modi’s visit, describing it as a testament to the close and enduring relations between India and Mauritius. The visit, which marks a high point in bilateral ties, further strengthens the bond between the two nations.
A Symbol of Strong Bilateral Relations
The invitation and acceptance of Prime Minister Modi as the Guest of Honour highlight the longstanding ties between India and Mauritius, grounded in shared history, culture, and demographic links. Indian-origin people make up nearly 70% of Mauritius’ population, reinforcing the close cultural and familial ties that bind the two nations.
PM Modi’s participation in the National Day celebrations comes amid growing cooperation between the two countries, especially in areas such as trade, defense, and education. Mauritius has often been seen as an important partner for India in the Indian Ocean region, particularly with its strategic location and role in maritime security. The visit is expected to further strengthen these areas of cooperation.
Recent Electoral Victory of PM Ramgoolam
The announcement follows the November 2024 electoral victory of Dr. Navin Ramgoolam. In response to this win, Prime Minister Modi had expressed his congratulations, extending warm wishes for Ramgoolam’s success in leading the country. Modi had also expressed his eagerness to work closely with the newly-elected Prime Minister to enhance the partnership between the two nations.
Sharing a post on X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi 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.”
Mauritius: A Key Partner for India
The close relationship between India and Mauritius is deeply rooted in shared history, as well as the fact that a large segment of the Mauritian population has Indian origins. The strong socio-cultural ties between the countries also play a significant role in strengthening diplomatic relations. Over the years, India has been an important ally to Mauritius, providing support in various fields, including infrastructure development, defense cooperation, and humanitarian assistance.
The relationship is further reinforced by Mauritius’ role as a key strategic partner for India in the Indian Ocean. As part of this partnership, India and Mauritius have collaborated on numerous international issues, with a focus on maritime security and regional stability.
In his remarks, Dr. Ramgoolam also expressed the importance of continuing the close cooperation between the two nations, underscoring that PM Modi’s visit will be an important milestone in the evolving partnership.
Future Prospects: Strengthening Ties
Both India and Mauritius are expected to use this occasion to explore new areas of collaboration and reinforce their shared commitments to regional and international peace and prosperity. As both countries navigate the challenges of a rapidly changing global landscape, PM Modi’s visit to Mauritius promises to be a significant step in the continued strengthening of the unique and historic relationship between the two nations.
With the National Day celebrations fast approaching, the visit of Prime Minister Modi to Mauritius is seen as a symbol of the enduring and multifaceted relationship between the two countries. As Mauritius celebrates its National Day on March 12, PM Modi’s participation will be a reminder of the deep-rooted connections and shared future that India and Mauritius have as close partners.
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