Port Louis/New Delhi, Mar 11 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Port Louis early on Tuesday morning, and was warmly greeted at the airport by Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, his wife Veena Ramgoolam, and a host of top officials of the government.
As PM Modi’s plane landed at the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport, the Mauritius Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam and his wife Veena, attired in a pink saree, were waiting to welcome Prime Minister Modi.
The two leaders exchanged a warm hug after which the Mauritius Prime Minister welcomed PM Modi with a garland.
Among the others present at the airport to welcome PM Modi were Deputy Prime Minister Paul Berenger, Foreign Minister Ritesh Ramphul, opposition leader Joe Lesjongard, Speaker of the National Assembly Shirin Aumeeruddy-Cziffra, and Chief Justice Rehana Mungly-Gulbul who is the first woman Chief Justice of the Mauritius Supreme Court.
Prime Minister Modi was accorded a ceremonial guard of honour at the airport, after which he was formally introduced to senior members of the Mauritius government who were there to welcome him.
In a post on X, PM Modi expressed gratitude for the special gesture of welcome by his Mauritius counterpart.
“Landed in Mauritius. I am grateful to my friend, PM Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam, for the special gesture of welcoming me at the airport.
“This visit is a wonderful opportunity to engage with a valued friend and explore new avenues for collaboration in various sectors.”
“Today, I will be meeting President Dharam Gokhool, PM Navinchandra Ramgoolam and addressing a community programme in the evening.”
The MEA spokesperson posted on X:
“Namaste Mauritius !
“PM @narendramodi arrives in Mauritius to a warm and enthusiastic welcome!
“In a special gesture, warmly received by PM @Ramgoolam_Dr at the airport.”
PM Modi is in Mauritius on a two-day visit during which he will attend the Mauritius National Day celebrations as Chief Guest, and also hold talks with PM Navin Ramgoolam. He will also formally inaugurate several developmental projects undertaken with Indian assistance, and interact with the Indian community there.
This is the second official visit of PM Modi to Mauritius after his last visit as Prime Minister in 2015.
He had come to Mauritius in 1998 as a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
PM Modi, who will spend 33 hours in Mauritius, left the airport for The Oberoi in Pointe-aux-Piments hotel, where he will stay.
UNI RN