Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday acquired Mauritius’ highest honour, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean, calling it a tribute to the centuries-old cultural and historic bonds of kinship between the 2 nations.
Mr. Modi, who’s on a two-day state go to, was conferred with the award by President of Mauritius Dharam Gokhool on the island nation’s 57th National Day celebrations.
PM in Mauritius Day 2 LIVE updates
Prime Minister Modi is the first Indian leader to receive this prestigious award, which recognises his contributions to strengthening ties between India and Mauritius.
“I express my heartfelt gratitude for being conferred the Highest National Award of Mauritius. This is not just my honour. It is the honour of 1.4 billion Indians. It is a tribute to the centuries-old cultural and historical bonds of kinship between India and Mauritius,” Mr. Modi mentioned.
Through their laborious work, these individuals wrote a golden chapter within the improvement of Mauritius and contributed to its vibrant variety, he mentioned.
“I accept this award with full humility and gratitude. I dedicate it to your ancestors who came from India to Mauritius centuries ago, and to all their generations,” he mentioned.
“The award is an acknowledgement of our shared commitment to regional peace, progress, security and sustainable development. It is a symbol of the shared hope and aspiration of the Global South,” he mentioned.
“I also embrace this honour as a responsibility. I reaffirm our commitment that we will continue to make every effort to enhance India-Mauritius strategic partnership to greater heights,” he mentioned.
National Day celebrations
During the National Day celebrations, an Indian Navy marching contingent participated within the parade. An Indian Naval Ship additionally made a port name to coincide with the National Day celebrations.
“Honoured to attend the National Day celebrations of Mauritius! Wishing the people of Mauritius continued prosperity and success as we also strengthen the deep-rooted ties between our countries,” Mr. Modi posted on X.
Mauritian Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam on Tuesday introduced that Mr. Modi will probably be conferred with the nation’s highest honour.
Mr. Modi is the fifth overseas nationwide to receive this distinguished recognition.
This marks the twenty first worldwide award conferred upon Prime Minister Modi by a overseas nation.
Vajpayee Institute inaugurated
Prime Minister Modi together with Ramgoolam on Wednesday collectively inaugurated the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Public Service and Innovation in Mauritius.
It will function a hub for studying, analysis and public service.
“Committed partners in education & capacity building. PM @narendramodi & PM @Ramgoolam_Dr jointly inaugurated the India-assisted Civil Service College in Reduit, Mauritius. As a tribute to his legacy & efforts to strengthen India-Mauritius relations, the institute has been named after former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee,” Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X.
“The institute is a Centre of Excellence for enhancing training opportunities for Mauritian civil servants. The PM also engaged with ITEC (Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme) & GoI scholarship alumni, whose contributions continue to strengthen the India-Mauritius partnership,” he mentioned.
Funded by means of a grant of $4.74 million underneath a 2017 MoU, the state-of-the-art institute will cater to the coaching wants of Mauritian civil servants throughout ministries, public places of work, parastatal our bodies, and authorities enterprises. Beyond coaching, the institute would function a centre of excellence in public administration, fostering analysis, governance research, and institutional linkages with India, Press Information Bureau mentioned in a press release.
These capability constructing exchanges have added depth to the robust people-to-people ties between the 2 nations, it mentioned.
Aligned with India’s dedication to the Global South, the institute displays India’s position as a trusted accomplice within the Indian Ocean Region and its unwavering dedication to strengthening the great India-Mauritius partnership, it added.
Published – March 12, 2025 04:39 pm IST
