Modi in Mauritius, calls on President Purryag

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday called on Mauritian President Rajkeswur Purryag after his arrival here on the second leg of his three-nation tour.

Modi, who arrived here from Seychelles, was accorded a ceremonial reception at the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Airport. He was received by Mauritius Prime Minister Anerood Jugnauth.

Jugnauth will also host a state banquet for Modi in the evening.

On Thursday, Modi will be chief guest at the Independence Day celebrations in Mauritius. President Pranab Mukherjee has also sent a message of greeting to President Purryag on the occasion of the country's independence day.

Modi will address the Mauritian Parliament on March 12. He will pay a visit to the Ganga Talao and Appravasi Ghat, both of which are associated with the arrival of Indian indentured labour to Mauritius. He will also visit the Mahatma Gandhi Institute.

Two memoranda of understanding (MoUs) are set to be inked during Modi's visit -- one for improvement of sea and air transportation facilities at Agalega island and the other for cooperation in the field of ocean economy.

Modi will also participate in the commissioning of India-built Coast Guard Ship Barracuda.

The CGS Barracuda is the first ever naval ship to be built by India for a foreign nation. The $58.5 million ship has been built by defence PSU Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE) in Kolkata.