- Dr. The Hon Navinchandra Ramgoolam, GCSK, FRCP, Prime Minister of the Republic of Mauritius paid a State Visit to India from February 6-11, 2012 at the invitation of the Honourable Prime Minister of the Republic of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh.
- The Prime Minister of Mauritius was accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Veena Ramgoolam, Dr. The Hon Arvin Boolell, GOSK, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Hon Cader Sayed-Hossen, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Consumer
Protection and high-level officials. An important delegation comprising the main economic sectors from Mauritius also accompanied the Prime Minister.
- After a ceremonial welcome in New Delhi, the Prime Minister of Mauritius visited Rajghat to pay homage to the memory of Mahatma Gandhi. During the State Visit, the Prime Minister of Mauritius called on the President of India, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil
and the Vice President of India, Shri M. Hamid Ansari.
- The Prime Minister of Mauritius met the Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh, and held discussions on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest and relevance. Official talks between India and Mauritius were held on February
7, 2012 in an extremely warm, cordial and friendly atmosphere reflective of the special and unique relationship between the two countries. The Prime Minister of India hosted a banquet in honour of the Prime Minister of Mauritius and the accompanying delegation.
- The Prime Minister of Mauritius received Shri Pranab Mukherjee, Minister of Finance and Shri Jaipal Reddy, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Smt. Preneet Kaur, Minister of State for External Affairs. He called on the UPA Chairperson, Smt. Sonia
Gandhi.
- The two leaders recalled the historical and cultural ties based on the foundations of kinship and shared heritage and common values between the two countries. They reiterated an abiding faith in and commitment to democracy, development and peace.
- They shared the confidence that cooperation at the bilateral, regional and multilateral levels will enable the two countries to realise their developmental aspirations, and contribute to peace, prosperity and security in the Indian Ocean Region.
- The two sides signed the following documents during the visit:(i) Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Science and Technology; (ii) Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Youth and Sports; (iii) MOU for Cooperation between Ministry of Textiles,
Government of India and Ministry of Industry, Commerce & Consumer Protection, Government of Mauritius; (iv) Education Exchange Programme 2012-2016 and (v) Memorandum of Understanding between the Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre Trust Fund and the National Council
of Science Museums of India.
- Both sides noted with satisfaction the progress achieved in the implementation of projects under the economic package offered by the Government of India to Mauritius in the past. One Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv was gifted to Mauritius in November 2009
as part of this package. The Coastal Surveillance Radar System was installed and commissioned in April 2011. The construction of the Offshore Patrol Vessel is underway.
- Government of India announced an offer of an economic package, including a Line of Credit of US$ 250 million and a grant of US$ 20 million. The Prime Minister of Mauritius thanked the Prime Minister of India for this generous financial package.
- The two leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation to enhance security in the Indian Ocean region through jointly agreed programmes of EEZ surveillance, exchange of information, capacity building and the development of an effective legal framework against
piracy.
- The two leaders emphasized the need to intensify cooperation to tackle the challenges faced by Indian Ocean Rim countries, including strengthening the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC). Mauritius pledged its full support to
IOR-ARC as India assumed the Chair of IOR-ARC.
- The two leaders reviewed the progress achieved so far in cooperation in hydrography between India and Mauritius. Both sides agreed that 6 years of bilateral cooperation in hydrography had led to the successful preparation of new navigational charts of Mauritian
waters.
- The two leaders reviewed the various efforts to promote bilateral trade and investment ties and the development of infrastructure in a manner that contributes to sustainable development in both countries. The two leaders noted the growth of bilateral trade
between India and Mauritius which has increased from US$207 million in 2005-06 to US$818 million in the year 2010-11, a growth of 295% in the last 5 years. During Financial Year 2010-11, India's exports to Mauritius were US$801 million and imports from Mauritius
were US$17 million. It was agreed that the Joint Commission Meeting would be held at an early date where all issues relating to closer economic cooperation would be addressed.
- Both sides noted with satisfaction, the growing economic and commercial ties between India and Mauritius. The two Prime Ministers agreed on the need to foster greater business linkages in all areas where opportunities exist whether at bilateral or regional
level.
- Both sides noted that the Meeting of the Joint Working Group on DTAC was held from December 21-23, 2011 in a friendly, constructive and positive atmosphere. Both sides agreed to continue discussions at an early date with a view to reaching a mutually agreeable
outcome.
- Mauritius welcomed the initiative taken by India to hold the India Africa Forum Summits on a regular basis. Both sides noted with satisfaction that the process had enhanced India's engagement with Africa and given it a modern and functional dimension. Mauritius
expressed its appreciation for the contribution by India for infrastructure development and capacity building in Africa. A large amount of credit lines were providing an important basis for increased development and enhanced business interaction between India
and Africa. The human resource development and capacity building initiatives were providing opportunities for training African youth to participate in their own development process. They expressed their satisfaction that the Pan African e-Network Project had
been successfully implemented in Mauritius and that, under the IAFS initiatives, the Hybrid Planetarium at the Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre would be undertaken.
- Both leaders reiterated the importance of an effective multilateral system, centered around a strong United Nations, as a key factor in tackling global challenges. In this context, they also recognized the need to pursue reform of the main UN bodies, including
the revitalization of the UN General Assembly and expansion of the UN Security Council in both categories of membership. The Prime Minister of Mauritius reiterated his country's [consistent support for India's candidature for permanent membership of an expanded
UN Security Council.
- The two leaders underscored the need for strengthening and reform of multilateral financial institutions and enhancing the voice and participation of developing countries, including SIDS, in international economic decision-making.
- The two leaders reaffirmed their unequivocal position against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. In furtherance of the shared security interests of both countries which are interlinked in the region, it was agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation
on issues of common concern, including piracy, terrorism, organised crime and drugs. It was also agreed to intensify cooperation in the areas of training and capacity building of the Mauritian Police Force. The Prime Minister of Mauritius expressed interest
in the purchase of equipment to strengthen the capability of Mauritius Police Force. The Prime Minister of India assured that this equipment could be supplied expeditiously to Mauritius under a mutually agreed time frame. Both the Prime Minister of India and
the Prime Minister of Mauritius also agreed on the necessity of ensuring adequate surveillance of the vast EEZ of Mauritius through mutually agreed programmes.
- Both sides agreed that climate change was one of the most important global challenges. They reaffirmed the provisions and principles of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), in particular that of equity and common but differentiated
responsibilities and respective capabilities. They reiterated that developed countries should take the lead in undertaking ambitious mitigation efforts and providing financial and technological support to developing countries. Both Parties shall collaborate
on projects of mutual interest to preserve common eco-systems. They shall also collaborate to address vulnerability of Mauritius as a Small Island Developing State (SID) to Climate Change and strengthen coastal research.
- India reiterated its consistent support to Mauritius for the restoration of Mauritian sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago. The Prime Minister of Mauritius thanked India for its long-standing and unwavering stand in this regard.
- Both leaders welcomed the fact that the business delegation, led by the Hon. Prime Minister of Mauritius, had meaningful interactions with the business communities of India in New Delhi and Mumbai.
- The Prime Minister of Mauritius thanked the Prime Minister of India for the warmth, cordiality and gracious hospitality extended to him and members of his delegation during their stay in India.
- Prime Minister Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam extended an invitation to Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to pay a visit to Mauritius. The invitation was accepted and it was agreed that the dates of the visit would be finalized through diplomatic channels.
New Delhi
February 7, 2012