Varanasi/New Delhi, Sep 11 (UNI) During his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Varanasi today, Mauritius Prime Minister Naveen Ramgoolam requested the provision of an Indian ship as part of the planned mission to the islands of Chagos, ceded by the UK earlier this year.
Notably, the request to India comes as Mauritius is preparing to welcome a British delegation in November.
Mauritian PM Ramgoolam also focused on two other priority issues: the revision of the double taxation treaty in the financial services sector, as well as the training of Mauritian police officers, with the support of the Indian authorities.
“I am pleased to say that our relations have now entered an even more dynamic and forward-looking phase. We discussed several important issues, including the double taxation treaty and the training of our police force.
“We also plan to go to Chagos. We wanted a ship. The British offered us one, but we indicated that we preferred an Indian ship, because, symbolically, it would make more sense,” said PM Ramgoolam.
PM Modi, in his remarks, warmly congratulated Prime Minister Ramgoolam and the people of Mauritius on the conclusion of the Chagos Agreement. “This is a historic milestone for Mauritius’ sovereignty. India has always supported decolonization, and the full recognition of Mauritius’ sovereignty. India has always stood firmly with Mauritius in this journey,” he said.
At the request of the Mauritian government, India has also agreed to support several projects. It was agreed, in principle, that the Indian government will provide budgetary assistance of $25 million in the current financial year.
Among the projects benefiting from a grant estimated at Rs 9.80 billion ($215 million) are: the construction of the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam National Hospital, the creation of the AYUSH Center of Excellence, a veterinary school and an animal hospital, as well as the supply of helicopters.
In the series of projects financed by a combination of grants and credit lines, include completion of construction work on the new control tower of the SSR international airport, the development of the M4 motorway, the construction of phase II of the Ring Road, and the acquisition of port equipment by the Cargo Handling Corporation Ltd (CHCL). The estimated cost of these projects and assistance amounts to approximately Rs 20.10 billion ($440 million).
