India announces 680 million dollars development package for Mauritius

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The North News

Chandigarh, September 11

India and Mauritius have signed a series of agreements aimed at strengthening their strategic and developmental partnership, including a special economic package worth more than $680m (£560m). The accords, signed in Varanasi on Thursday in the presence of India’s prime minister, Narendra Modi, and his Mauritian counterpart, Navinchandra Ramgoolam, cover infrastructure, healthcare, education and maritime security. The package will support major projects such as the construction of the new Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam National Hospital, an AYUSH centre of excellence, and a veterinary school and animal hospital. Helicopters will also be provided under the grant-based assistance, estimated at $215m.

On a grant-and-loan basis, India will help fund an air traffic control tower at the SSR International Airport, a new motorway, a ring road expansion and port equipment, worth a further $440m. New cooperation was also agreed in principle on redeveloping Mauritius’s main port and supporting marine surveillance around the Chagos archipelago.

India will additionally provide $25m in budgetary assistance this year.

The two leaders also announced fresh collaborations in renewable energy, education and technology, including a 17.5MW floating solar power plant, support for 100 electric buses, and academic links between Indian institutions and the University of Mauritius.