The State Visit of Prime Minister (PM) of Mauritius, Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam, to India from September 9 to 16, 2025, was undertaken at the invitation of PM Narendra Modi. The visit aimed to further strengthen the ‘Enhanced Strategic Partnership’ established during PM Modi’s visit to Mauritius in March 2025. This was his first overseas bilateral visit to India in his current term.
High-Level Engagements
PM Ramgoolam’s itinerary combined high-level diplomatic meetings with significant cultural engagements. The centrepiece of the visit was the bilateral meeting between PM Modi and PM Ramgoolam, held in Varanasi on September 11. The two leaders engaged in fruitful discussions covering a wide range of topics. Taking to social media platform X, PM Modi posted: “We reviewed all aspects of bilateral cooperation and discussed regional as well as global issues. We agreed to deepen cooperation in infrastructure, healthcare, digital technology, energy, maritime security, and more.”
In addition to the bilateral engagement in Varanasi, PM Ramgoolam had crucial high-level meetings in New Delhi. He called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on September 16, a meeting that formally concluded his state visit. During this meeting, the President highlighted the importance of Mauritius, stating, “Mauritius occupies a special place in India’s Neighbourhood First Policy, MAHASAGAR Vision, and in India’s commitment to the Global South.” Furthermore, PM Ramgoolam also met with India’s newly elected Vice President, C P Radhakrishnan, in New Delhi, where they discussed the various MoUs and developmental projects agreed upon during the visit.
The Special Economic Package
The most significant outcome of the visit was the announcement of a comprehensive Special Economic Package, valued at approximately USD 680 million. This total comprises a mix of grant-based projects, grant-cum-line of credit projects, and direct budgetary assistance. As part of the package, India has agreed to provide Mauritius with USD 25 million in budgetary assistance for the current financial year. In a joint press statement, PM Modi characterised the nature of the grant, stating, “This package is not assistance. It is an investment in our shared future.”
The grant-based projects are high-impact, visible initiatives that foster direct public goodwill. These include the construction of a new Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam National Hospital, the establishment of an AYUSH Centre of Excellence, the development of a Veterinary School and Animal Hospital, and the provision of helicopters. The estimated cost of these projects is approximately USD 215 million, or MUR 9.80 billion.
Conversely, the grant-cum-line of credit model is applied to large-scale, commercially significant infrastructure projects. These include the completion of a new Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower at SSR International Airport, the development of Motorway M4 and Ring Road Phase II, and the acquisition of port equipment by CHCL. The estimated value of these projects is approximately USD 440 million, or MUR 20.10 billion.
On the strategic side, the two sides have also agreed, in principle, on the redevelopment and restructuring of the port in Mauritius, as well as assistance in the development and surveillance of the Chagos Marine Protected Area.
Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs)
In addition to the Special Economic Package, the visit culminated in the signing of seven key agreements and MoUs. These agreements reflect the broad and comprehensive nature of bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
The renewal of the MoU in the field of hydrography facilitates joint surveys, navigation charts, and the exchange of hydrographic data for Mauritius’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). An MoU was also signed between the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – National Institute of Oceanography and the Mauritius Oceanography Institute.
In the space sector, both sides agreed to cooperate on the establishment of a Telemetry, Tracking, and Telecommunications Station for satellites and launch vehicles, as well as collaboration in space research, science, and applications. In the fields of education, science, technology, and research, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, and the Ministry of Tertiary Education, Science, and Research of Mauritius, paving the way for joint research and capacity-building initiatives.
Regarding governance, an MoU was signed between Karmayogi Bharat under the Department of Personnel and Training and the Ministry of Public Service and Administrative Reforms, Government of Mauritius, aimed at enhancing public administration and civil service capacity.
Additional MoUs were signed to promote cooperation in the power sector and to formalise Indian grant assistance for the implementation of Phase II of Small Development Projects in Mauritius.
In addition to concrete agreements and MoUs, important announcements were made regarding an MoU between the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, and the University of Mauritius, Réduit, as well as between the Indian Institute of Plantation Management, Bengaluru, and the University of Mauritius, to strengthen academic partnerships and long-term commitments to capacity building and knowledge transfer. An announcement was also made to advance the Government-to-Government proposal to set up a 17.5 MW Floating Solar PV Project at Tamarind Falls.
A forward-looking step was the in-principle agreement to work towards enabling trade in local currencies. In a joint statement, PM Narendra Modi stated, “Last year, UPI and RuPay cards were launched in Mauritius. Now, we will work towards enabling trade in local currencies.”
Cultural Diplomacy
PM Ramgoolam’s visit to India carried strong cultural diplomatic symbolism. A key highlight of the visit was the invitation extended by PM Modi for bilateral talks in Varanasi, one of India’s oldest cultural and spiritual centres, as well as PM Modi’s parliamentary constituency. He also attended the Ganga Aarti there. PM Modi, signifying the importance, stated in a joint press statement, “Centuries ago, our culture and traditions travelled from India to Mauritius and became a part of everyday life there. Just like the eternal flow of Maa Ganga in Kashi, the continuous stream of Indian culture has enriched Mauritius.”
In addition to Varanasi, PM Ramgoolam’s itinerary included visits to other culturally significant cities, Ayodhya and Tirupati. In Ayodhya, he offered prayers at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir. The visit to Tirupati included a darshan at the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, one of the most revered pilgrimage sites in India.
