Ahead of the State visit of Prime Minister Dr Navin Ramgoolam with the aim to further deepen the long-standing relations with India in terms of opening up new vistas of cooperation and lending a solid framework for future collaboration across priority areas, several agreements are in the pipeline. The cabinet has given its assent to the signing of numerous Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between India and Mauritius.
First and foremost, the inking of an MoU pertaining to the implementation of Phase II of Small Development Projects (High Impact Community Development Projects for the total capital cost of Rs500 million) tapping into socio-economic development, in particular the creation of infrastructure in education, basic health care, and community development sectors. The project’s primary themes include skill development, renewable energy and empowerment of women and child welfare, and disaster risk reduction, among others.
Second, an agreement linked to the power sector that covers several areas of collaboration, such as power sector for energy security and transition, renewable energy, energy conservation and efficiency improvement, capacity building and institutional strengthening, as well as technology and digitisation.
It also covers an MoU between the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research of India and the Mauritius Oceanography Institute for research and education in marine science and technology in the following areas of cooperation spanning across oceanography and technology, exchange of scientists and research scholars for research, sharing of expertise and scientific and technical information as well as the implementation of a joint research programme in areas of Marine Science of common interest.
The MoU also encompasses joint research work on hydrocarbon and seabed minerals in the Exclusive Economic Zone of Mauritius under the coordination of the Department for Continental Shelf, Maritime Zones Administration, and Exploration.
An MoU was inked between the Ministry of Public Service and Administrative Reforms and Karmayogi Bharat under the Department of Personnel and Training, India, to work collaboratively towards establishing and strengthening a digital capacity building ecosystem targeting the facilitation of knowledge exchange, adapting and integrating digital solutions, promoting sustainable capacity building and strengthening institutional partnership.
Moreover, two MoUs are in place, which is expected to be exchanged between the University of Mauritius and the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, India, and the University of Mauritius and the Indian Institute of Plantation Management, Bengaluru, India.
The Technical Cooperation Agreement on cooperation for the establishment of Telemetry, Tracking and Telecommunications Station for Satellites and Launch Vehicles will set forth cooperation in the fields of space, research, science and application; and the MoU for cooperation in the field of Hydrography is expected to be renewed.
On the other hand, the cabinet has also agreed to an MoU inked between the Ministry of Health and Wellness and the Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences Hospital, Hyderabad, India, designed to strengthen the specialised healthcare services through structured collaboration.
The agreement is expected to provide capacity building for health care professionals, technical assistance for the upgrade of local facilities, and access to modern treatment, which is not accessible on the island. It will also foster cooperation in high-specialty fields such as neuro-intervention, transplantation and oncology, while ensuring continuous medical education and streamlined referral services to the benefit of local patients.
On the other hand, the Cabinet also took note of the recent participation of the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Protection at the 20th Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) India-Africa Business Conclave, where high-level meetings were conducted with the Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution.
During the Conference, the Minister intervened in three sessions, namely, ‘From Farm to Future’; ‘Sharing India’s Experience, Mobility, Logistics and Supply Chains’; and in the Valedictory Session, alongside other Ministers hailing from Africa, where he emphasised Mauritius’ position and reiterated a firm commitment to strengthening itself as a key driver for India-Africa business partnerships.
The Minister held a meeting with the Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution of India, where both engaged in fruit discussions pertaining to fruitful discussions on the Price Stabilisation Fund and Consumer Protection.
The Price Stabilisation Fund is a flagship initiative of the Government of India aimed at mitigating price volatility in essential agricultural commodities, designed to protect consumers and ensure fair prices for producers.
The Minister also held discussions with the Minister of Commerce and Industry for expanding commercial partnerships between both nations through Government-to-Government Agreements.
