Prime Minister Narendra Modi will receive the nation’s highest honour, “The Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean,” according to a statement made by Mauritius Prime Minister Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam.
The first Indian to be honoured is Prime Minister Modi. Prime Minister Ramgoolam of Mauritius has invited him to visit the island nation. PM Modi declared earlier on Tuesday that the prime minister of Mauritius and his wife, Veena Ramgoolam, had been issued Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cards.
India’s dedication to its diaspora and bilateral ties with Mauritius was demonstrated by the decision. The OCI cards were distributed at the start of the community gathering, which drew over 3,500 attendees, including cabinet members from Mauritius. “It is a pleasant surprise for me and my wife ,” Ramgoolam remarked following the announcement.
Mauritian individuals with up to seven generations of Indian ancestry were granted OCI card eligibility by India in March 2024. There are 13,198 OCI card holders and 22,188 Indian nationals living in the nation. At least eight Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in fields like culture, marine security, and community development initiatives are anticipated to be signed by PM Modi on March 12.
In addition, he will probably announce new projects and launch at least 23 projects supported by India. “Mauritius is a close maritime neighbour, a key partner in the Indian Ocean, and a gateway to the African Continent,” Modi stated in his farewell message.
“History, geography, and culture bind us together. Our strengths include a celebration of our variety, a deep mutual trust, and a shared conviction in democratic values. One source of pride is the strong and long-standing ties between people.”