New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today held talks with visiting Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth and discussed maritime and coastal security in the Indian Ocean among other issues.
After holding talks with his Mauritius counterpart, PM Narendra Modi said, “PM Jugnauth and I agreed that it is our responsibility to ensure maritime security around our coasts.”
The talks gain significance in the wake of China’s aggressive posturing in the Indian Ocean as it tries to extend help to India’s neighbours having coastline.
“Effective management of conventional, non-conventional threats in Indian Ocean essential for pursuing economic opportunities,” Narendra Modi said highlighting the concerns.
INDIA EXTENDS USD 500 CREDIT LINE TO MAURITIUS
A USD 500 million line of credit (LOC) from India to Mauritius is among four agreements signed by the two countries following delegation-level talks headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Mauritian counterpart Pravind Jugnauth.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay listed out the agreements signed between India and Mauritius under ‘New Vistas for a Futuristic Partnership’.
The LOC agreement was signed between SBM Mauritius Infrastructure Development Co. Ltd and Export-Import Bank of India.
Another agreement was signed on cooperation on maritime security between the two countries.
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the two sides for setting up of a civil services college in Mauritius.
Another MoU was signed between the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) of India and Mauritius Oceanography Institute for research and education in marine sciences and technology.
Mauritius also submitted its instrument of ratification of the India-initiated International Solar Alliance (ISA).
The ISA, launched at the UN Conference of Parties (CoP) climate summit in Paris on November 30, 2015, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then French President Francois Hollande, is conceived as a coalition of solar resource-rich countries to address their special energy needs and provide a platform to collaborate on dealing with the identified gaps through a common, agreed approach.
It is open to all 121 prospective member countries falling between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn.
JUGNAUTH MEETS SUSHMA
Earlier in the day, Jugnauth was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan following which External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj called on him.
Jugnauth arrived in New Delhi yesterday on a three-day state visit to India. This is Jugnauth’s first visit abroad since assuming office this January.
Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today met Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth and discussed ways to deepen bilateral cooperation in various areas including trade and investment.
During the meeting, Swaraj said there was scope to expand bilateral ties in a range of areas.
Jugnauth held discussions with Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhuand Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan yesterday.
