India and Mauritius Strengthen Ties: EAM Jaishankar Inaugurates 11 Development Projects

Port Louis : Reinforcing the "Neighborhood First" policy, India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, inaugurated 11 high-impact community development projects (HICDP) in Mauritius during his visit to the 9th Indian Ocean Conference. These projects signify a milestone in the bilateral relationship, aiming to bring the benefits of India’s developmental expertise directly to the citizens of Mauritius.

During his visit, Dr. Jaishankar held high-level discussions with Mauritius President Dharambir Gokhool and Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam. The leaders reviewed a wide spectrum of cooperation, including:

• Maritime Security: Enhancing safety and surveillance in the Indian Ocean.
• Infrastructure & Health: Confirming a Special Economic Package via a Letter of Intent (LoI).
• Technology & Mobility: Expanding digital and people-to-people exchanges.

In a first-of-its-kind initiative for a partner nation, Dr. Jaishankar launched the iGOT Karmayogi portal specifically for Mauritian civil servants. This digital platform is designed to bolster capacity building and promote "people-centric governance," mirroring India’s own internal administrative reforms.

Addressing the 9th Indian Ocean Conference, the EAM emphasized that Mauritius holds a "special place" in India’s Vision SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region). He noted that the partnership serves as a blueprint for cooperation within the Global South.

"These projects are a testament to India’s commitment to taking our development partnership to every Mauritian doorstep," Dr. Jaishankar shared on social media.

Following his successful visit to Port Louis, the External Affairs Minister is scheduled to travel to the UAE (April 11-12) to further strengthen India's Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the Middle East.