Modi's Mauritius visit set to focus on maritime security

India and Mauritius are set to unveil a range of measures to enhance maritime security, defence and scientific cooperation during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the Indian Ocean country next week, foreign secretary Vikram Misri said on Saturday.

- HT Correspondent

NEW DELHI:

Modi, who will be in Mauritius during March 11-12 at the invitation of Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, will be the chief guest at National Day celebrations in Port Louis next Wednesday. An armed forces contingent from India will participate in the celebrations along with a warship of the Indian Navy and the Akash Ganga sky-diving team of the Indian Air Force.

Cooperation in maritime security and defence between the two sides has grown significantly over the past decade, with India providing two vessels and fast interceptor craft to the Mauritius Coast Guard. India also helped expand a strategic airstrip and jetty on Agaléga, one of the outer islands of Mauritius, to bolster the country's ability to monitor its vast exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of 2.3 million sq km.