NEW DELHI: When Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam arrives in Varanasi on September 10, the images will be familiar: sacred rituals at the Ganga, the grandeur of Kashi Vishwanath, and the symbolism of Ayodhya. But behind the spiritual itinerary lies a diplomatic message that extends well beyond temple bells and holy rivers. This is Ramgoolam’s first overseas bilateral visit in his present term, a choice that signals Mauritius’ priority for India and underscores New Delhi’s growing centrality in the Indian Ocean and the wider Indo-Pacific.
The Varanasi Divisional Commissioner, S. Rajalingam, laid out the schedule clearly: “Ramgoolam will also attend Ganga Aarti on September 11. On September 12, he will offer prayers to Baba Kashi Vishwanath and go to Ayodhya. The Prime Minister of Mauritius will reach Kashi on September 10 for a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 11. PM Modi will reach Varanasi on September 11. After meeting his Mauritian counterpart, PM Modi will go back to Delhi.”
The Ministry of External Affairs added another layer of significance: “Prime Minister of Mauritius Navinchandra Ramgoolam will undertake a state visit to India from September 9 to September 16. This will be the first overseas bilateral visit of Prime Minister Ramgoolam to India in his present term.” In that framing lies the recognition that Mauritius, though small in size, is a strategic player in India’s Indian Ocean vision.
Ramgoolam is not new to Indian diplomacy. He had earlier visited India in May 2014 to attend Prime Minister Modi’s swearing-in ceremony. This time, his itinerary extends beyond Varanasi and Delhi. He will also travel to Mumbai to attend a business event, and to Tirupati, weaving together a blend of commerce, spirituality, and strategy.
The visit also builds on his longstanding personal rapport with India’s leadership. At a weekly media briefing in New Delhi on September 5, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal recalled Ramgoolam’s presence at Modi’s swearing-in in 2014, an early indicator of the trust that has defined this partnership.
Only weeks earlier, on August 15, Ramgoolam had taken to X (formerly Twitter) to congratulate India on its Independence Day. His words reflected a deep civilizational bond: “Prime Minister Narendra Modi, On this auspicious occasion of India’s Independence Day, I extend my warmest wishes to the Government and people of India. As we commemorate this historic day, we celebrate the values of freedom, democracy and unity that India has so valiantly upheld since 1947. The bonds between Mauritius and India are rooted in history, culture and ties that continue to inspire cooperation, friendship and mutual respect between our nations. May India continue to flourish in peace, prosperity and progress, guiding the world with its example of resilience and vision. Happy Independence Day, India!”
Modi’s response was equally emphatic: “Deeply appreciate your warm wishes, Prime Minister Dr. Navin Ramgoolam, on the occasion of our Independence Day. Mauritius will always remain a strategic and trusted partner in our shared pursuit of progress, prosperity and a bright future for our peoples.”
These exchanges were not just diplomatic courtesies; they illustrated the emotional depth of a relationship that goes beyond strategy to shared history. Nearly 70% of Mauritians are of Indian origin, and this demographic link has consistently served as an anchor for political trust and people-to-people ties.
But culture and diaspora alone cannot explain the weight of this visit. Earlier this year, Prime Minister Modi traveled to Mauritius to attend its 57th National Day celebrations at Ramgoolam’s invitation. He met not only his Mauritian counterpart but also President Dharam Gokhool, underscoring the high-level political engagement between the two countries. That visit highlighted defence and security cooperation, maritime surveillance, and India’s role as a developmental partner through lines of credit and infrastructure projects.
The Indian High Commission in Mauritius has consistently described the relationship as anchored in “close and longstanding relations,” rooted in shared history, demography, and culture. Indeed, Mauritius was among the first countries with which independent India established diplomatic relations in 1948, even before Mauritius itself gained independence. The continuity of high-level visits and exchanges over decades reflects an exceptional level of trust and mutual understanding at the leadership level.
Strategically, this visit must be viewed in the context of the Indian Ocean’s shifting geopolitics. The Indo-Pacific is increasingly contested, and smaller island nations are being courted by multiple powers. For Mauritius, aligning closely with India ensures security guarantees and development partnerships. For India, Mauritius is a strategic anchor at the crossroads of Africa, Asia, and vital maritime routes. Defence cooperation, including coastal surveillance, patrol vessels, and maritime training has grown in recent years, placing Mauritius firmly within India’s Indian Ocean security network.
Equally significant is the economic dimension. Ramgoolam’s Mumbai visit and participation in a business event show that Mauritius is keen on deepening trade and investment flows with India. The financial services sector, fintech, and connectivity projects are likely to feature prominently. For India, Mauritius is not only a partner in trade but also a gateway to Africa, and a collaborator in its neighbourhood-first and Global South outreach.
The inclusion of Varanasi, Kashi Vishwanath, Ayodhya, and Tirupati in Ramgoolam’s itinerary highlights the careful blend of civilizational symbolism and modern diplomacy. Spiritual ties strengthen cultural legitimacy, while business forums and bilateral meetings consolidate economic and strategic agendas.
In analytical terms, Ramgoolam’s choice to make India his first overseas bilateral destination is a recognition of India’s rising regional role. Unlike transactional partnerships with extra-regional powers, India–Mauritius relations are anchored in shared values and history. The challenge for both governments will be to translate this goodwill into tangible outcomes: from green energy corridors and digital connectivity to enhanced maritime cooperation and skill development.
Ultimately, this visit is more than ceremonial. It is about reinforcing India’s credibility as a trusted partner in the Indian Ocean and about Mauritius positioning itself within India’s Indo-Pacific vision. From Ganga Aarti to bilateral talks in Delhi, from diaspora pride to business opportunities in Mumbai, Ramgoolam’s visit embodies the multi-layered nature of diplomacy today, where history, culture, security, and economics converge.
This visit will be remembered not just for the images of Ganga Aarti or the prayers at Kashi Vishwanath, but for what it represents: two nations bound by shared roots choosing to align their futures in an uncertain world. In Ramgoolam’s words, freedom, democracy, and unity define the partnership; in Modi’s words, Mauritius will always remain a strategic and trusted partner. Between those two affirmations lies the essence of India–Mauritius relations civilizational in depth, strategic in ambition, and enduring in trust.
– Dr. Shahid Siddiqui; follow via X @shahidsiddiqui
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