PRIME Minister Narendra Modi has been conferred with Mauritius’ highest civilian honor, “The Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean.”
The announcement was made by Mauritius Prime Minister Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam during Modi’s ongoing two-day bilateral visit to the island nation.
With this recognition, PM Modi has become the first Indian to receive the prestigious award. His visit to Mauritius comes at the invitation of Prime Minister Ramgoolam, reflecting the deep historical and cultural ties between the two nations.
During his visit, PM Modi announced the issuance of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards to the Mauritius Prime Minister and his wife, Veena Ramgoolam. The initiative highlights India’s commitment to strengthening its diaspora connections and enhancing bilateral relations.
The OCI cards were handed over during a grand community event attended by more than 3,500 people, including key members of the Mauritius government. Expressing his gratitude, Ramgoolam called it a pleasant surprise for him and his wife.
In March 2024, India expanded OCI card eligibility to Mauritian nationals of Indian ancestry going back up to seven generations. The island nation is home to over 22,000 Indian nationals and more than 13,000 OCI card holders, underlining the strong cultural bond between the two countries.
During his visit, PM Modi is expected to sign at least eight Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) covering areas such as community development, maritime security, and cultural collaboration.
Additionally, he will inaugurate at least 23 projects funded by India and is likely to announce new initiatives aimed at furthering bilateral cooperation.
Ahead of his visit, PM Modi emphasized the importance of India-Mauritius relations. In his departure statement, he described Mauritius as a close maritime neighbor and a key partner in the Indian Ocean.
He highlighted shared historical and cultural ties, democratic values, and a strong people-to-people connection as the foundation of their enduring partnership.
