Mauritius confers highest national award to Indian PM Narendra Modi
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been conferred Mauritius' highest civilian award, The Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean, during his two-day bilateral visit to the island nation.
Prime Minister of Mauritius, Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam, announced the honour, making Modi the first Indian recipient of the prestigious award.
As part of his engagements, Modi handed over Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards to Prime Minister Ramgoolam and his wife, Veena Ramgoolam, in recognition of India’s deep-rooted connections with its diaspora.
The gesture follows India’s recent decision to extend OCI eligibility to Mauritian nationals of Indian descent up to seven generations.
Addressing a gathering of over 3,500 attendees, including members of the Mauritius cabinet, Ramgoolam expressed his gratitude for the surprise announcement. Mauritius currently hosts 22,188 Indian nationals and 13,198 OCI cardholders.
"Mauritius is a close maritime neighbour, a key partner in the Indian Ocean, and a gateway to the African Continent," Modi said ahead of his departure. "We are connected by history, geography and culture."
During his visit, PM Modi is expected to sign at least eight Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) covering key areas such as maritime security, community development, and cultural cooperation. He will also inaugurate 23 India-funded projects and announce new initiatives aimed at strengthening bilateral collaboration.
