India, Mauritius signed MoU for cooperation in cooperative sector

India and Mauritius on 16 January 2017 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to facilitate cooperation in the cooperative sector.

The MoU was signed by Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh and Business, Enterprise and Cooperatives Minister of Mauritius Soomilduth Bholah.

The MoU will enable the two countries to collaborate in the cooperative and related sectors and benefit thousands of Mauritians.

Under the MoU, India will extend its expertise and technology to Mauritius in agro industry, fisheries and dairy sectors.

India-Mauritius relations

• Mauritius maintained contacts with India through successive Dutch, French and British occupation. Diplomatic relations between India and Mauritius were established in 1948.

• Political Relations: Following independence of Mauritius on 12 March 1968, the first Prime Minister and the Father of the Mauritian Nation Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam accorded centrality to India in Mauritius’ foreign policy.

• Subsequently, successive Mauritian leaders ensured that India occupies a position of significance and importance in the foreign policy orientation and activities of Mauritius.

• Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam was the only non-SAARC leader to be invited to witness the swearing in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May 2014.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Mauritius in March 2015 as the chief guest at the Mauritian National Day celebrations. During this visit, both the countries signed five Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs).

• Commercial relations: India is Mauritius’ largest trading partner and has been the largest exporter of goods and services to Mauritius since 2007.

• Cumulative FDI equity inflows from Mauritius to India between April 2000 and September 2015 amounted to $ 91.22 billion.

• In May 2016, both the countries signed a protocol to amend the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA).

• The Pan African e-Network Project was inaugurated on 26 February 2009 in Mauritius to connect it with  African countries and India through a satellite and fiber-optic network.

• Indian community: There are nearly 11,000 Indian nationals in Mauritius. To increase tourism inflow from India, Mauritian Government had introduced a visa-free regime for Indian tourists in October 2004.