News Analysis India

Tag: Mauritius

  • Mauritius Grants Special Break To Officials for Ram Mandir Inauguration Celebrations |

    New Delhi: In a significant move the Mauritius  government has approved a request by Hindu socio-cultural organizations to grant a two-hour break for officials on January 22, 2024. This decision allows devotees across the country to actively participate in prayers organized to mark the inauguration of the Ram Mandir in India. A Govt statement said, “Cabinet has agreed to the grant of a one-off special leave of two hours on Monday 22 January 2024 as from 1400 hours to public officers of Hindu faith, subject to exigencies of service, in the context of the inauguration of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir in India, which is a landmark event as it symbolises the return of Lord Ram in Ayodhya”

    The Council of Ministers, led by Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, convened on Friday to consider the appeal from Hindu socio-cultural groups. Responding favorably, the government recognized the cultural significance of the Ram Mandir inauguration and acknowledged the importance of facilitating the participation of devotees in the celebrations.

    The Mauritius Sanatan dharma temples federation had written to PM Pravind Jugnauth to allot 2 hours off to the while working class people to follow the live telecast of the consecration ceremony in Ayodhya and to perform the rituals.

    Hinduism holds a prominent place in the religious landscape of Mauritius, with Hindus constituting approximately 48.5% of the population, according to 2011 statistics. Remarkably, Mauritius stands out as the only country in Africa where Hinduism is the most practiced religion. In terms of percentage, the nation ranks third globally in the prevalence of Hinduism, following Nepal and India.

    The roots of Hinduism in Mauritius trace back to the colonial era when Indians were brought as indentured labor to both French and British plantations. The migration wave, primarily from Indian states such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh, contributed to the establishment and growth of Hindu communities in Mauritius and neighboring islands of the Indian Ocean.

    As the Ram Mandir, a symbol of cultural and religious significance, is inaugurated in India, the decision to grant a special break aligns with the government’s commitment to respecting and promoting the diverse religious practices within the nation. The special break enables devotees to actively engage in prayers and celebrations, fostering a sense of unity and communal harmony.

  • Mauritius to get USD 100 million for defence: India

    By Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: India on Monday offered a $100 million line of credit to Mauritius to procure defence assets while the two countries signed a comprehensive economic cooperation partnership agreement.

    The announcements were made after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth held talks. The foreign minister is on a two-day visit to Mauritius following his visit to Maldives.

    “SAGAR policy reaffirmed. Pleased to witness, along with PM @JugnauthKumar, the exchange of USD 100 million Defence Line of Credit. Will facilitate procurement of defence assets, guided by the needs of Mauritius,” Jaishankar tweeted after the meeting. 

    Sources said that the two leaders discussed issues related to the Indo-Pacific and Chagos Islands, a point of dispute between the UK and Mauritius.

    India also expressed support to Mauritius in its effort to be taken off the FATF’s grey list. New Delhi also provided 2 lakh doses of Covid vaccines to Mauritius while the island nation requested another 2 lakh vials. The two countries, after the meeting of the two leaders, also exchanged letters on provisions of a Dornier aircraft and a Dhruv advanced light helicopter, the sources added.

  • EAM Jaishankar to visit Maldives and Mauritius beginning February 20

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will on Saturday embark on a four-day visit to the Maldives and Mauritius, the two strategically key maritime neighbours of India in the Indian Ocean region.

    The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Jaishankar will visit the Maldives from February 20 to 21 and he will be in Mauritius on February 22 and 23.

    “The External Affairs Minister’s visit is testimony to the importance that India attaches to its close and friendly relations with the Maldives and Mauritius and is expected to lend further momentum to substantive cooperation and robust people-to-people ties,” the MEA said.

    In the Maldives, Jaishankar will call on President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and have substantive discussions with the ministers for foreign affairs, defence, finance, economic development and planning and infrastructure, the MEA said in a statement.

    The external affairs minister (EAM) will also call on Speaker Mohamed Nasheed and meet with other political leaders.

    “During this visit, EAM will review the entire gamut of our bilateral ties as well as progress of ongoing bilateral projects and hold discussions on the ongoing COVID situation, including India’s continued assistance to the Maldives for its post-Covid economic recovery,” the MEA said.

    In Mauritius, Jaishankar will call on President Prithvirajsing Roopun and Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth.

    He will also meet the minister of foreign affairs, regional integration and international trade and minister for land transport and light rail.

    “The EAM will review all aspects of our bilateral relations, ongoing implementation of various infrastructure projects being carried out by India in Mauritius, and hold discussions on bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest including India’s assistance to Mauritius,” the MEA said.

    It said both Maldives and Mauritius are India’s key maritime neighbours in the Indian Ocean Region and occupy a special place in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘SAGAR’ (Security and Growth for All in the Region).