Cementing the India-Mauritius Ties

In the context of the official visit of His Excellency Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs of India, the High Commission of India in collaboration with the Economic Development Board, Mauritius organized an 'Interactive Session on CECPA and Promoting India-Mauritius Trade & Investment Ties' on Tuesday 23rd February 2021 at Le Sirius, Labourdonnais Waterfront Hotel, Port-Louis.

The event was graced by the presence of a strong delegation from India led by H.E Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs of India and the Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development, Dr. The Honourable Renganaden Padayachy.

The Interactive session saw the participation of key Mauritian Industry captains and business leaders, representatives of the private sector and officials of the Economic Development Board.  The event served as an excellent interactive platform between the Minister of External Affairs of India and the Mauritian business community. Mauritius is the first African country with whom India has signed the CECPA.

In his statement to the business community, H.E Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar underlined the importance of Mauritius in India’s Foreign Policy. He emphasized that Mauritius has a special role in India’s expansive three-pronged foreign policy approach which encompasses the Neighborhood First Policy, the Sagar ‘Ocean’ Policy, and the Forward Africa Policy. The Minister stated that Mauritius represents an intersection of all these three policies as well as a long-standing historical relationship with India which lays the foundation of a full-fledged development policy cooperation.

Moreover, The Minister underlined that Africa is a reservoir of resources and represents the future of the world.   As Mauritius is part and parcel of Africa, the country will play a strategic role and act as a gateway for investment into African countries.  He commended the progress made by Mauritius in several areas.

On the other hand, Dr. Anup Wadhawan, Secretary for Department of Commerce, Government of India, spelt out opportunities which will unfold with the implementation of CECPA.

Delivering the welcome address, Dr. The Honourable Renganaden Padayachy, Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development, highlighted that the visit of H.E Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar to Mauritius bears testimony to the very special relationship shared between Mauritius and India. The Minister also highlighted that both countries have forged a deep bond and also share close economic, cultural and human ties.

Dr. The Honourable Renganaden Padayachy further added that the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Co-operation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA) marks another historical turning point in the economic ties between our two countries.  The CECPA is the conclusion of a longstanding partnership under the strong determination of our two Prime Ministers’, Shri Narendra Modi and Honourable Pravind Jugnauth.  

Its was highlighted by Dr. The Honourable Renganaden Padayachy that with the signing of the CECPA new promising opportunities have opened for both the Indian and Mauritian business communities. In this perspective, he made an appeal to Indian companies and entrepreneurs to tap into the opportunities in Mauritius and invest in various sectors which will be mutually beneficial for both countries.  According to him the trade in services chapter of the agreement will boost cross-border investment flows and movement of people.