The President will pay a State Visit to Mauritius and Madagascar from 11-15 March 2018. He will be accompanied by the First Lady and a high level delegation comprising Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, four Members
of Parliament and senior officials from the Government of India.
The President has been invited as the Chief Guest to the commemorative events marking the 50th anniversary of the independence of Mauritius. During the visit, he will be received by President Ameenah Gurib-Fakim and have bilateral discussions with Prime Minister
Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, who will host a State Banquet in his honour. Several Mauritian dignitaries including Foreign Minister Vishnu Lutchmeenaraidoo, Leader of Opposition Xavier Luc Duval, former Prime Ministers Navin Ramgoolam and Paul Bérenger, Chief Justice
Kheshoe Parsad Matadeen and the Speaker of the National Assembly Santi Bai Hanoomanjee will also call on the President.
During the visit, the President will inaugurate the new World Hindi Secretariat building constructed with Indian assistance. His other official engagements include launching of a project for the supply of e-tablets to primary school children across Mauritius
and laying of foundation stone for an ENT Hospital and Social Housing Project. All these projects are funded by the Government of India under a Special Economic Package.
The visit is part of our continuing engagement with the Government of Mauritius at the highest level. Given our special and unique relationship built on the foundation of a strong diaspora linkage, the visit will provide further momentum to our bilateral engagement.
The visit to Madagascar from 14-15 March is the first ever by a President or Prime Minister from India. During the visit, the President will be accorded a ceremonial reception. He will meet the President of Madagascar to review bilateral relations and exchange
views on regional and international issues of mutual interest. Other elements of the visit include interaction with the business community, a talk at the University of Antananarivo and attending an Indian community reception.
India’s maritime links with Madagascar date back to the 18th century. The two countries share a rich common heritage. Bilateral relations have strengthened considerably in recent years as part of India’s growing engagement with Africa.
New Delhi
10 March 2018