Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Mauritius on March 11-12 is more than just a diplomatic engagement—it marks a return to a nation with which he shares a deep historical and personal connection. His ties with Mauritius date back to 1998 when, as the BJP’s National General Secretary, he visited the country long before holding public office.
The ‘Modi Archive’ on X, which documents the prime minister’s journey through archival materials, highlighted this connection, stating, "Over a century ago, our ancestors went there as laborers, taking with them Tulsidas' Ramayana, the Hanuman Chalisa, and the Hindi language. But there is another connection—one that dates back 27 years to 1998, when Narendra Modi first visited Mauritius. Prime Minister Modi's ties with Mauritius go back to a time when he held no public office, working tirelessly for the BJP."
During his 1998 visit, Modi attended the International Ramayana Conference in Moka between October 2-8, where he spoke about "Lord Ram's universal values and how the Ramayana serves as a bridge uniting India and Mauritius in an eternal civilisational embrace." He also met key leaders, including then-President Cassam Uteem, Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Leader of the Opposition Sir Anerood Jugnauth, and future Prime Minister Paul Raymond Berenger.
Beyond official meetings, Modi immersed himself in the country’s history and culture. He visited the sacred Ganga Talao, a revered Hindu pilgrimage site, and explored natural landmarks like the Seven Coloured Earths in Chamarel and the Chamarel Waterfall. Recognizing Mauritius’s struggle for independence as a reflection of India’s own freedom movement, he paid homage to Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, the Father of the Nation, at the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanic Garden.
As ‘Modi Archive’ noted, "As Prime Minister @narendramodi revisits Mauritius, it feels like a homecoming to 'Mini India.'" This sentiment aligns with Modi’s own words from his 2015 visit: "If there is one place that unites all of Mauritius, it is Ganga Sagar... Far from India, a pond bearing the name of the Ganga continues to inspire Mauritius to awaken its cultural heritage."
Now, as PM Modi returns to Mauritius at the invitation of Prime Minister Naveen Chandra Ramgoolam, he will attend the country’s National Day celebrations as the chief guest on March 12, further strengthening the deep-rooted ties between the two nations.
