Prime Minister Narendra Modi presents the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Card to Mauritius President Dharambeer Gokhool and First Lady Vrinda Gokhool at the State House in Port Louis on March 11, 2025.
In a special gesture that reflects the close historical and cultural connect between the two nations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Cards to President Dharambeer Gokhool and First Lady Vrinda Gokhool when he called on them at the State House in Port Louis on Tuesday (March 11, 2025).
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), there are 22,188 Indian nationals and 13,198 OCI card holders currently in Mauritius. A special carve-out for OCI Cards for Mauritian nationals with Indian lineage traceable up to the 7th generation, was announced during the State Visit of President Droupadi Murmu in March 2024.
During their meeting, Prime Minister Modi presented ‘Makhana’ (fox nuts), a super food from the Indian province of Bihar, to President Dharambeer Gokhool, and gifted a Banarasi Saree in a Sadeli box from Gujarat to First Lady Vrinda Gokhool.
Prime Minister Modi also offered Holy Water from the Maha Kumbh in a brass and copper pot to the President and the First Lady of Mauritius.
Prime Minister Modi visited the Ayurveda Garden in the State House, which was established in collaboration with the Government of India. He noted that Mauritius was an important partner for India in advancing the benefits of traditional medicine including Ayurveda.
Prime Minister Modi also paid homage at the Samadhis of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam and Sir Anerood Jugnauth at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanic Garden, Pamplemousses. He was accompanied by Prime Minister Ramgoolam for the wreath laying function. On the occasion, Prime Minister Modi recalled the enduring legacies of the two leaders in the progress of Mauritius and building a robust foundation for India-Mauritius ties.
Following the wreath laying ceremony, Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Ramgoolam planted a tree under the initiative – “Ek Ped Maa ke Naam” – in the historic garden.
“Humbled by the heartfelt gesture of my friend, Prime Minister Dr. Navin Ramgoolam, in taking part in ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’—a tribute to nature, motherhood and sustainability.
His support stands tall as a symbol of our shared commitment to a greener and better future,” PM Modi said on X.
India’s close and long standing ties with Mauritius are anchored in shared history, demography and culture.
Mauritius is one of India’s key partners in the Indian Ocean as well as a close maritime neighbor. India is also a preferred development partner for Mauritius and has undertaken several economic development and capacity building initiatives in the country.
