Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth jointly inaugurated a new airstrip and St James Jetty, along with six community development projects at Agalega Island in Mauritius on Thursday.

  


Speaking via video conferencing at the event, PM Modi said, "This is evidence of a vibrant, strong, and unique partnership between India and Mauritius. Mauritius is an important partner of our neighbourhood first policy."


"In the past 10 years, India-Mauritius ties have got unprecedented direction. We achieved new highs in this relationship. We have a new form of scientific and historical connections...development partnership has been the key pillar of our relationship...India has always respected the needs of Mauritius," he added. 


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"Our development partnership is based on Mauritius' priorities," he added. 


Modi also noted that the two countries are working actively towards ensuring security, prosperity, and stability in the Indian Ocean region, which comes amid growing concern by New Delhi over China's surging military forays in the region. 


"Various traditional and non-traditional challenges are emerging in the Indian Ocean region. These challenges impact our economic systems. India and Mauritius are natural partners in the maritime domain to deal with these challenges," he said. 


In his brief address PM Modi underlined the development partnership between India and Mauritius as a "significant pillar" of the political relationship between the two sides. 


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Mauritian PM Jugnauth also hailed the inauguration of the projects on the Agalega Island. 


"We are making history today on the island of Agalega with the inauguration of a new airstrip, a new jetty, and several other development projects," Jugnauth said. 


"This event marks a great moment for the remarkable and exemplary partnership between Mauritius and India," he added.  


The inauguration of the New Delhi-assisted development projects in the island nation comes days after UPI and RuPay Card services were launched in Mauritius by the two leaders earlier this month on February 12.