Mauritius PM Ramgoolam begins 8-day India visit, receives warm welcome in Mumbai

September 9, 2025

Mumbai: Mauritian Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam reached Mumbai on Tuesday, marking the beginning of his State visit to India aimed at deepening the Enhanced Strategic Partnership between the two nations. He will be in India until September 16, making this his first bilateral overseas visit to the country in his current term.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) posted on X: “A visit that will further strengthen the India-Mauritius Enhanced Strategic Partnership. Warm welcome to PM Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam of Mauritius as he arrives in Mumbai on a State Visit to India.”

Key Engagements and Meetings

During his stay, PM Ramgoolam will attend a business event in Mumbai before heading to Delhi to meet President Droupadi Murmu and hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. These discussions will focus on advancing bilateral cooperation and reinforcing strategic ties.

In addition to Mumbai, his itinerary includes visits to Varanasi, Ayodhya, and Tirupati. Varanasi is preparing extensively for his joint visit with PM Modi on September 11, with decorations and security arrangements in place.

Historical Context and Past Visits

Ramgoolam last visited India in 2014, notably as the only non-SAARC leader invited to attend the swearing-in ceremony of PM Modi and the Council of Ministers. His current trip comes shortly after PM Modi’s visit to Mauritius in March 2025 for the country’s 57th National Day celebrations, where the two leaders held bilateral discussions alongside Mauritian President Dharam Gokhool.

India-Mauritius Ties and Strategic Significance

The MEA highlighted that India and Mauritius share a “close and special relationship” built on historical, cultural, and people-to-people links. Mauritius, as a key maritime partner in the Indian Ocean Region, plays a central role in India’s Vision MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Region) and the ‘Neighbourhood First Policy’, while also being an important partner in the Global South.

Diplomatic relations between India and Mauritius date back to 1948, even before Mauritius gained independence. Over the years, the relationship has been marked by mutual trust, high-level engagements, and strategic cooperation.