Prime Minister Narendra Modi commenced his two-day visit to Mauritius on Tuesday, strengthening the longstanding relationship between the two nations. His association with the island nation dates back to 1998, when he first visited as a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, long before assuming public office.
The ‘Modi Archive’ account on X (formerly Twitter) highlighted the deep-rooted connection between India and Mauritius, often referred to as ‘Mini India’, through archival images and historical references. “India and Mauritius share a deep bond of history, ancestry, culture, language, and the Indian Ocean. As Prime Minister @narendramodi revisits Mauritius, it feels like a homecoming to ‘Mini India’,” the post stated.
During his first visit to Mauritius from October 2-8, 1998, Modi attended the International Ramayana Conference in Moka, where he spoke about how the Ramayana serves as a cultural bridge uniting the two countries. The post further elaborated, “Over a century ago, our ancestors went there as laborers, taking with them Tulsidas’ Ramayana, the Hanuman Chalisa, and the Hindi language. But there is another connection—one that dates back 27 years to 1998, when Narendra Modi first visited Mauritius, working tirelessly for the BJP.”
During that visit, Modi engaged with key Mauritian leaders, including then-President Cassam Uteem, Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, and opposition leader Sir Anerood Jugnauth. He also met Paul Raymond Berenger, who later became the Prime Minister of Mauritius.
Recognizing Mauritius’ journey to independence as parallel to India’s own struggle for freedom, Modi paid homage to Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, the Father of the Nation, at the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanic Garden. This act honored the leader who played a pivotal role in Mauritius’ liberation.
Now, in 2025, Prime Minister Modi has returned to Mauritius at the invitation of PM Naveena Chandra Raamgoolam. He is the chief guest for the country’s National Day celebrations on March 12. During his visit, he is also expected to meet President Dharambeer Gokhool and hold bilateral discussions with several key political leaders, further strengthening India-Mauritius ties.
