Port Louis:
In a particular gesture, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday introduced the issuance of Abroad Citizen of India (OCI) playing cards to his Mauritian counterpart Navin Ramgoolam and his partner Veena Ramgoolam.
The announcement was made at a group occasion attended by greater than 3,500 individuals, together with members of the Mauritius Cupboard, authorities officers, and Nationwide Meeting members.
Earlier within the day, PM Modi introduced OCI playing cards to Mauritius’ President Dharambeer Gokhool and First Girl Vrinda Gokhool. The handover came about on the primary day of his state go to, underscoring India’s dedication to its group and bilateral relations with Mauritius.
Throughout President Droupadi Murmu’s state go to to Mauritius in March 2024, India prolonged eligibility for OCI playing cards to Mauritian nationals of Indian lineage traceable as much as the seventh era – an initiative geared toward fostering nearer ties with the Indian group.
Mauritius is dwelling to 22,188 Indian nationals and 13,198 OCI card holders, reflecting the numerous presence of the Indian group within the nation.
The OCI card grants holders the best to reside, work, and research in India indefinitely, whereas additionally facilitating visa-free journey and different privileges.
Mauritius has lengthy maintained a welcoming stance towards Indian guests, having launched a visa-free regime for Indian vacationers staying as much as a month again in 2004. In reciprocity, Mauritian nationals are entitled to free of charge visas for journey to India, additional easing people-to-people exchanges.
PM Modi’s go to, which continues via March 12, is anticipated to incorporate main bulletins on the ultimate day, together with the signing of not less than eight Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in areas reminiscent of maritime safety, tradition, and group improvement initiatives.
He may even inaugurate not less than 23 India-funded initiatives and is more likely to announce new initiatives for the Southeast African Island nation.
(Aside from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is revealed from a syndicated feed.)
