EAM Jaishankar in Mauritius: India extends defence, energy & developmental aid to the Indian Ocean nieghbour

Port Louis: External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar on April 10, Friday called on the President of Mauritius, Dharambeer Gokhool, during his two-day visit to the island nation, reaffirming the strong and enduring partnership between the two countries. In a post on the X social media platform, EAM Jaishankar said he conveyed warm greetings from President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to President Gokhool and noted that their conversation reflected the warmth of bilateral ties and a shared commitment to further strengthening the India-Mauritius partnership.

“Honoured to call on President Dharambeer Gokhool of Mauritius. Conveyed warm greetings of President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Our conversation reflected the warmth of our friendship and the steadfast commitment to further advancing India-Mauritiaus partnership”, the EAM stated in his post.

Honoured to call on President Dharambeer Gokhool of Mauritius.

Conveyed warm greetings of President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister @narendramodi.

Our conversation reflected the warmth of our friendship and the steadfast commitment to further advancing 🇮🇳-🇲🇺 partnership.… pic.twitter.com/uLeAB7CyJ0

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) April 10, 2026

EAM Jaishankar also held multiple high-level engagements with leaders from neighbouring Indian Ocean region countries following his meeting with President Gokhool. Sharing updates in a series of posts on X, the EAM stated that he met the newly appointed Foreign Minister of Nepal, Shishir Khanal and congratulated him on his appointment. “Glad to meet FM Shishir Khanal of Nepal this afternoon. Congratulated him on his appointment. Discussed realising the full potential of the India-Nepal partnership by deeper collaboration in different sectors,” the post read.

He also held talks with his counterpart of Bhutan, DN Dhungyel, describing the India-Bhutan relationship as “unique and time-tested” and noting its continued progress and prosperity. “A warm conversation today with Foreign Minister of Bhutan D.N. Dhungyel in Port Louis. Our unique and time-tested partnership continues to progress and prosper,” the EAM stated in a separate post.

A warm conversation today with @FMBhutan D. N. Dhungyel in Port Louis.

Our unique and time-tested partnership continues to progress and prosper.

🇮🇳 🇧🇹 pic.twitter.com/2NHGmuTHGg

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) April 10, 2026

EAM Jaishankar also met the Foreign Minister of Seychelles, Barry Faure and reiterated India’s commitment to supporting Seychelles in addressing its current economic challenges. He also welcomed steps taken towards implementing a Special Economic Package. “Great meeting FM Barry Faure of Seychelles on the sidelines of 9th Indian Ocean Conference. India is committed to supporting Seychelles in meeting current economic challenges. Welcomed the steps in implementing the Special Economic Package,” the EAM stated in his post.

Great meeting FM @BarryFaure of Seychelles on the sidelines of 9th Indian Ocean Conference.

India is committed to supporting Seychelles in meeting current economic challenges. Welcomed the steps in implementing the Special Economic Package.

🇮🇳 🇸🇨 pic.twitter.com/YtqREPLhoS

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) April 10, 2026

Additionally, the External Affairs Minister met former Mauritius Prime Minister and leader of the MSM Party, Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, appreciating his continued commitment to strengthening India-Mauritius ties. Following his engagements in Mauritius, the minister will travel to the United Arab Emirates on April 11 to review the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with the UAE leadership.

EAM meets Mauritius Prime Minister & assure stronger strategic partnership

External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar met with Mauritius Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam on Thursday to deliver warm greetings and best wishes from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During the meeting, the minister highlighted the robust nature of the bilateral bond, noting that the partnership has seen significant advancement across various sectors over the past year.

Pleased to call on Prime Minister @Ramgoolam_Dr of Mauritius. Conveyed best wishes of PM @narendramodi.

Our wide – ranging partnership has witnessed remarkable and substantive progress in the last one year.

Discussed its various facets including development cooperation,… pic.twitter.com/OrdjPEcPzk

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) April 9, 2026

The discussions between the two leaders covered a broad array of strategic and social initiatives. According to the minister, they “discussed its various facets, including development cooperation, health, education, capacity building, mobility, technology, maritime security and people-to-people ties”. The dialogue also extended to regional stability, specifically focusing on “developments in West Asia and their impact.

Expressing India’s appreciation for the ongoing collaboration, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar noted that he “deeply values PM Ramgoolam’s strong commitment to the enduring India-Mauritius friendship”.

India extends defence, energy & other developmental assistance to Mauritius

• Defence Assistance

India will soon position a Defence Attache in Mauritius and is in the final stages of concluding a government-to-government agreement for the supply of oil and gas to the island nation amid the energy crisis due to the conflict in West Asia, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar announced on April 9, Thursday. Speaking during a joint launch of projects and exchange of MoUs with Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, as part of his two-day visit to the country, Jaishankar highlighted the deepening strategic partnership between the two nations across sectors, including defence, energy, healthcare and development cooperation.

“Defence and security cooperation form another vital pillar of our bilateral ties. During this visit, we just saw a presentation on the royalty payment of USD 45,000, representing revenues earned from the sale of Mauritian nautical charts produced through our joint hydrography service. This is a tangible reflection of the trust and mutual benefit that define our maritime cooperation. I am also happy to announce that we would be very soon positioning a Defence Attache in Mauritius. This will surely strengthen our growing engagements”, the EAM stated.

Honoured to join Prime Minister of Mauritius @Ramgoolam_Dr in:

➡️ Witnessing LoE on Special Economic Package, reaffirming 🇮🇳’s steadfast commitment towards Mauritius’ infrastructure development, health and security.

➡️ Inaugurating 11 India – supported High Impact Community… pic.twitter.com/GzHJZIZZ4p

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) April 9, 2026

• Energy Aid to the Indian Ocean neighbour

Jaishankar also underlined the importance of energy cooperation amid global uncertainties due to the conflict in West Asia, stating that India and Mauritius are finalising an agreement for the supply of oil and gas to enhance Mauritius’ energy security. “Our ‘Enhanced Strategic Partnership today truly extends across all sectors. The ongoing crisis in West Asia, as the Hon’ble Prime Minister reminded us, has underscored the importance of strategic partnerships, especially in the energy sector. We are finalising a Government-to-Government agreement for the supply of oil and gas, which will play an important role in reinforcing energy security for Mauritius”, he stated.

• Aid for developmental projects

Jaishankar reiterated India’s continued support for Mauritius’ developmental priorities, noting that 100 community development projects are being implemented across Mauritius, Rodrigues and Agalega. Eleven such projects were jointly inaugurated during the visit. He announced that Phase II of the programme, valued at 500 million Mauritian Rupees, will further expand grassroots development initiatives.

“The 100 community development projects being carried out by India across Mauritius, Rodrigues and Agalega are the shining embodiment of this philosophy, delivering tangible benefits to the doorsteps of ordinary Mauritians in every corner of this island. Earlier in this event, we just had the privilege of inaugurating 11 of these projects alongside Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam. In the coming years, Phase II of our community development programme, valued at Mauritius Rupees 500 million, will build upon this strong and enduring foundation”, EAM Jaishankar further added.

• Contribution to Mauritius Healthcare & Education Sector

The External Affairs Minister also highlighted India’s contribution to Mauritius’ healthcare sector, including the inauguration of a Renal Transplant Unit at Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital and noted that India has supported multiple health facilities across the island and is working toward completing an AYUSH Centre of Excellence. In education, a new agreement between India’s University Grants Commission and Mauritius’ Higher Education Commission was signed to boost academic collaboration. India and Mauritius are also strengthening ties in renewable energy, including solar power projects and sustainable transport initiatives such as the supply of electric buses.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Ramgoolam expressed gratitude to India for its consistent assistance, especially during challenging times. “I would like to reiterate our deepest gratitude to the Government of India for the generous assistance being extended to us. India has always stood by us, especially in trying moments of our history. India’s support is indeed a glimmer of hope at such a difficult moment, when the world is going through an unprecedented turmoil and when all countries are reeling under the impact of the war in the Middle East”, he said.

“We both strongly believe that it is only through diplomatic channels that this crisis will come to an end”, he added. Ramgoolam confirmed that Mauritius is also in the process of finalising the oil and gas agreement with India and highlighted progress on key bilateral issues, including maritime security, digital connectivity, and a USD 680 million special economic package. “As mentioned, we had a very productive exchange of views on a range of issues of mutual interest, including the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement, maritime security, digital connectivity and the implementation of the special economic package worth USD 680 million. Mauritius would like to thank the Government of India for the issuance of the In-contract Amendment Rules 2026. We are in the process of finalising a government-to-government agreement on oil and gas”, he said.

India and Mauritius elevated their relationship to an “Enhanced Strategic Partnership” during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Mauritius in March 2025. EAM Jaishankar further stated that the partnership reflects deep historical, cultural and people-to-people ties and aligns with India’s broader foreign policy priorities, including the Neighbourhood First policy and engagement with the Global South.

(With Inputs from ANI)