Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday described Mauritius not just as a partner country but as part of India's extended family, calling the island nation a vital bridge between India and the Global South. Addressing the Indian diaspora at a community event in Port Louis, Modi said, “Mauritius is like ‘Mini India’,” underscoring the deep-rooted cultural and historical ties between the two nations. “Mauritius is not just a partner — it is family,” he said, adding that the bond between the two countries is anchored in shared heritage and people-to-people connections.
The event was also attended by Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, his wife Veena Ramgoolam, and members of his cabinet.
SAGAR vision and Global South connect
Modi recalled his 2015 visit when he first outlined India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision, reiterating that Mauritius remains central to that strategy. “Mauritius continues to be a key pillar in India's engagement with the wider Global South,” he said.
Honour and outreach
At the ceremony, Modi presented Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards to Ramgoolam and his wife. He also announced the extension of OCI card eligibility to the seventh generation of the Indian diaspora in Mauritius, a significant step to deepen diaspora ties.
The Prime Minister thanked the people and government of Mauritius for conferring on him the country's highest civilian award — The Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean (GCSK). “I accept this honour with humility and gratitude. This is a tribute to the historical ties between our nations,” he said.
Celebrating shared heritage
PM Modi, who will be the chief guest at Mauritius’s National Day celebrations on Wednesday, noted the shared historical symbolism of the date. “March 12 is not only Mauritius’s National Day but also the day when Mahatma Gandhi began the Dandi March — a reminder of our collective journey against oppression and towards freedom,” he said.
In a lighter moment, the Prime Minister recalled how sugar imported from Mauritius once added sweetness to Indian households, even noting that in Gujarati, sugar is often called 'Moras', possibly deriving from Mauritius. “Whenever I visit Mauritius, I feel I’m among my own people. The air, soil and water here carry the essence of our shared ancestry,” he said.
PM Modi also thanked PM Ramgoolam for his heartfelt words at the event, calling them a reflection of the deep emotional connect between the two nations.