Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a warm and culturally rich welcome in Mauritius on March 11, 2025, as Geet Gawai singers performed the traditional Swagat Gaan upon his arrival in Port Louis. This marks the beginning of his two-day State Visit, where he will be the chief guest at Mauritius' National Day celebrations and hold high-level discussions with Mauritian leaders to further strengthen India-Mauritius relations.

PM Modi’s Grand Traditional Welcome

The sight of Geet Gawai singers welcoming PM Modi was a significant moment, showcasing the deep-rooted cultural ties between India and Mauritius. Geet Gawai, a Bhojpuri musical tradition, was brought to Mauritius by indentured laborers from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand during the Girmitiya movement that began in 1834.

This tradition is not just a form of musical expression but also a symbol of the heritage and resilience of the Indian diaspora in Mauritius. Recognizing its cultural importance, UNESCO inscribed Geet Gawai on its Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2016. The songs celebrate themes of family, love, and devotion and continue to be an essential part of Bhojpuri culture in Mauritius.

PM Modi’s Key Agenda in Mauritius

During his Mauritius visit, PM Modi is set to inaugurate over 20 India-funded projects, strengthening bilateral ties and fostering growth in various sectors. Some of the key projects include:

• Inauguration of the Civil Services College: Built at a cost of USD 4.75 million, this institution aims to enhance governance and institutional capacity in Mauritius. The project stems from a 2017 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between both nations.
• E-inauguration of 20 community projects: These projects focus on healthcare, local development, and sports, amounting to an investment of approximately Rs 7 crore.
• Area Health Centre inauguration: Strengthening Mauritius' healthcare infrastructure, this center is part of India's continued support in improving public health services.

In addition to these, PM Modi will announce new infrastructure projects aimed at strengthening democracy and governance in Mauritius.

India-Mauritius Economic and Strategic Relations

India and Mauritius share a long-standing partnership, and Mauritius remains one of India's key trading partners. Some key highlights of the economic and strategic ties include:

• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI): Mauritius was the second-largest source of FDI into India in 2023-24, after Singapore.
• Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA): Signed in February 2021, this agreement strengthened trade and investment relations.
• MoU on Community Development Projects: In January 2022, India and Mauritius signed an agreement to implement 96 community projects, of which 51 have already been inaugurated.
• Special Economic Package (2016): India granted USD 353 million to Mauritius for five major projects, including the Metro Express Project, Supreme Court Building, New ENT Hospital, Social Housing project, and digital tablets for schoolchildren.

Conclusion

PM Modi’s visit to Mauritius is a testament to the deep cultural and economic bonds between the two nations. His traditional Geet Gawai welcome highlights the enduring impact of Bhojpuri heritage in Mauritius, while his agenda focuses on key development initiatives that reinforce India’s commitment to Mauritius’ progress.

With India playing a pivotal role in Mauritius' infrastructure, governance, and economic development, this visit is expected to further solidify the historical, cultural, and strategic partnership between the two nations.

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