India to support Mauritius in training and capacity building: Parrkar

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, who is on a two-day visit to Mauritius, on Saturday said that India would continue to extend its full support for training and capacity building of Mauritius.

Parrikar, who is the first Indian Defence Minister to visit the country called on Prime Minister Anerood Jugnauth, who also holds defence portfolio.

"India would continue to extend its full support to Mauritius for training and capacity building, as well as supply and maintenance of defence equipment," Parrikar said.

According to an official statement, during Parrikar's meeting with Jugnauth, both sides expressed their deep satisfaction over the close and growing defence and security cooperation and collaboration between India and Mauritius.

Parrikar, then along with Jugnauth, also attended the commissioning ceremony of CGS Victory manufactured by the Goa Shipyard Ltd and two upgraded Cheetah helicopters manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd to the Police Helicopter Squadron here.

According to the statement, the CGS Victory, a Water Jet Fast-Attack Craft will help the coast guard of Mauritius to widen their outer island support activities and conduct in-depth surveillance in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) for tackling transnational crimes.

Parrikar, who is accompanied by senior officers of the Indian Navy, Indian Air Force and Defence Ministry officials, will on Sunday call on President Ameenah Gurib Fakim and will also interact with senior Ministers.

--IANS

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