Mauritius is home away for Indians, says LS Speaker

Mauritius is a home away for Indians, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said today as she met President of Mauritius Bibi Ameenah Gurib-Fakim here.
Mahajan, who is leading an Indian Parliamentary delegation to Mauritius, said the relationship between the two countries is "of hearts and sentiments" as the two countries are connected by strong cultural links and shared heritage.
She noted that India and Mauritius have historically enjoyed excellent, unique and extra-ordinary relations and that the Strategic Partnership and co-operation between them in the international fora augurs well.
The Speaker said India has accorded special status to Mauritius in several areas like tax matters and OCI-related issues.

Blue economy, marine research and education, information technology and climate change are the areas where the two countries have common interests, she said.
She said that because of its strategic location, political and economic stability, Mauritius is ideally placed for development as an IT hub to act as a 'Gateway to Africa'.

The President of Mauritius appreciated the relationship with India and expressed the confidence that it will continue to flourish even further.
During the meeting, Mahajan presented a copy of the Constitution of India to the President of Mauritius.
The Speaker, along with the members of her delegation, also visited the Apravasi Ghat, one of the biggest attraction centres in Mauritius.

This is the place where about 183 years ago, the first group of 36 immigrant workers from India landed in Mauritius on-board the Atlas named ship.
After visiting the museum at the Apravasi Ghat, Mahajan said, "we have seen the museums of Raja, Maharajas and the winners, but this museum honours the hard work of the labourers and depicts the contribution of the people standing at the last rung of society in the nation-building of Mauritius," according to a statement issued by the Lok Sabha secretariat.