Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that Mauritius is at the heart of India’s SAGAR vision while addressing a diaspora event in Port Louis.
“Mauritius is at the heart of India’s SAGAR vision,” PM Modi said, referring to SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision, introduced by PM Narendra Modi in 2015, is a strategic framework aimed at enhancing maritime security, economic cooperation and sustainable development in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), adding that the Indian Ocean needs to be secured.
It aims to act as a counter to predatory Chinese investments in the region which has attracted countries with infrastructural projects but then traps them in bad debt.
In his address, he also recalled that first visit to the island nation a decade ago and noted that his previous trip, which took place on the same date 10 years ago, was shortly after Holi.
He said that he had brought with him the spirit of ‘Fagwa’—the Bhojpuri term for the festival.
“This time, I will take the colours of Holi with me to India,” PM Modi said in an address to the diaspora at an event held in capital Port Louis.
Recalling historical ties between India and the island-nation, PM Modi said that Indian freedom fighters were brought to the island to face torture at the hands of British colonialists.
“Indian freedom fighters were brought here by deceit, they were tortured, but in those tough times, Lord Ram and Ramcharitmanas gave them strength and inspiration… I came here in 1998 to attend the International Ramayan Conference… I can still experience that faith today, which I experienced years ago,” PM Modi said.