Mauritius PM Says India-Mauritius Partnership Will Endure
Ramgoolam calls for stronger economic, cultural and strategic ties during Mumbai conclave
Mumbai, September 10 – Declaring Mauritius as India’s most trusted partner, Prime Minister Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam on Tuesday reaffirmed the island nation’s commitment to deepening historic, cultural and economic relations with India. Speaking at a business conclave at Hotel Trident, Mumbai, the visiting leader said the India–Mauritius partnership will remain long-lasting and mutually beneficial.
The conclave was organised by the Ministry of External Affairs, FICCI, CII and the Mauritius Economic Development Board, and attended by India’s Union Minister for Energy and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar alongside top industry leaders.
Dr. Ramgoolam welcomed the progress achieved under the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA), noting that bilateral trade had reached USD 800 million in 2024. He expressed confidence that Mauritian exports could double from USD 50 million to 100 million, citing opportunities in financial services, tourism, and India–Africa–Mauritius trilateral cooperation. Mauritius, he said, is committed to building special economic zones that would offer Indian companies new opportunities in IT, artificial intelligence, advanced technology, healthcare, education and entertainment.
Highlighting global economic uncertainties, the Mauritian leader stressed that closer India–Mauritius cooperation was essential for resilience. He invited India’s collaboration in fisheries, marine energy and port development, and recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit in March 2025, where both nations signed a Joint Vision Document centred on shared prosperity, sustainability and resilience. Dr. Ramgoolam urged both government and private sectors to play a proactive role in this roadmap.
India’s Economic Strength Highlighted by Minister Khattar
Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said that India–Mauritius ties are unique not only economically, but also socially and culturally. He noted that Mauritius remains a key source of foreign direct investment into India, while India is among Mauritius’ most important trade partners.
Khattar underlined India’s rise as the world’s fourth-largest economy, maintaining a 7% growth rate over the past decade and emerging as the third-largest startup ecosystem with over 115 unicorns. India, he said, is on course to becoming a five-trillion-dollar economy.
The Minister highlighted progress in the energy sector, including 100% rural electrification, per capita electricity use rising to 1,395 units, and renewable energy capacity reaching 230 GW as of July 2025, half of which comes from solar. India targets 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2070, alongside a Green Hydrogen Mission aiming for 5 million tonnes of annual production by 2030.
Khattar also detailed India’s expanding infrastructure, including 1,069 km of metro rail operational across 24 cities, another 949 km under construction, and the launch of 10,000 e-buses. Mauritius, he said, is an active partner in India’s global clean energy initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance and the Global Biofuel Alliance.
Calling for deeper collaboration in trade, investment, green energy, digital innovation, MSMEs and startups, Khattar said, “India and Mauritius have walked hand in hand for two centuries. Strengthening this bond further is our collective responsibility.”
The conclave concluded with industry leaders sharing their perspectives on future cooperation.