Varanasi, Jan 22 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his visiting Mauritius counterpart
Pravind Jugnauth on Tuesday discussed wide range of bilateral and global issues and explored ways to expand further cooperation in areas of Blue Economy and collaboration in Africa.
"The discussions (between two leaders on the sidelines of Prabasi Bharatiya Divas) focused on initiatives to further strengthen the bilateral ties, including finalization of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Partnership Agreement (CEPCA)," an MEA statement said.
"The various ongoing bilateral development cooperation projects were discussed and new proposals for critical partnership projects in health, disaster management and energy were agreed upon. The leaders also discussed ways to expand further cooperation in areas of Blue Economy and collaboration in Africa," it said.
"The discussions were very warm and cordial given the extremely close and friendly relations between both countries," the statement said adding the two Prime Ministers reviewed the entire gamut of the long-standing and "time-tested strategic relationship between both countries, based on deep emotional bonds of kinship and culture".
"The leaders noted with satisfaction that India and Mauritius have always stood by each other and will continue to do so in the decades to come".
"Cementing brotherly ties. PM Narendra Modi and PM Pravind Jugnauth of Mauritius held warm and productive discussions on the margins of PBD 2019. Discussed enhancing cooperation in trade & investment, development partnership and cultural linkages," MEA spokesman Raveesh Kumar tweeted.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj also called on the visiting dignitary in Varanasi. She noted that India-Mauritius bilateral cooperation was comprehensive and multi-faceted and that bonds date back centuries.
"Our close multifaceted relations have steadily developed over the years, based on the secure foundations of kinship and family ties, and of shared values of democracy, tolerance, peace and development".
Prime Minister Jugnauth will call on President Ram Nath Kovind on Wednesday here.
The Mauritian Prime Minister will visit Prayagraj on 24 January 2019 for the Kumbh Mela and then proceed to Mumbai.
He is scheduled to inaugurate the wholly owned subsidiary of the State Bank of Mauritius in Mumbai.
In December 2018, SBM became the first foreign bank to receive a license from Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to set up universal banking business in India through Wholly Owned Subsidiary (WOS) mode, "rather than as a foreign bank branch".
Mr Jugnauth will attend a bilateral business forum on January 25 in Mumbai.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Mr Fadnavis will call on him, sources said.
Mauritius PM will attend the Republic Day Parade at Shivaji Park in Mumbai on January 26 and also attend at Home function to be hosted by the Governor of Maharashtra.
UNI DEVN 1807