Mauritius PM Navinchandra Ramgoolam’s India visit underscores deep cultural links: Tracing his Bihar ancestry

After meeting with Mauritian counterpart, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the special relationship between India and Mauritius

Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam is currently on his first overseas bilateral visit to India in his current term. Ramgoolam arrived in India on September 9 on an eight-day visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

After landing in Mumbai and attending a business event, Ramgoolam headed to Varanasi where he met and held bilateral talks with PM Modi. He is also expected to visit Ayodhya, Dehradun and Tirupati before heading to New Delhi.

Ramgoolam had earlier visited India in May 2014 as the only non-SAARC leader invited to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers.

After meeting with Mauritian counterpart, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the special relationship between India and Mauritius and reiterated how the Indian Ocean country is an integral pillar of India's Neighbourhood First policy and vision, MAHASAGAR.

Addressing a joint press briefing with the Mauritian PM, Modi said that India and Mauritius are not just partners but one family.

Noting that it is a matter of pride for India to be a reliable and primary partner in Mauritius' development, PM Modi said, "Today we have decided on a special economic package keeping in mind the needs and priorities of Mauritius. It will strengthen infrastructure, create new employment opportunities, and strengthen health facilities."

Ramgoolam, meanwhile, lauded India's longstanding support and partnership with Mauritius, stating that the country has 'benefited immensely' from India's generous assistance and expertise in various sectors over the years.

"Over the years, India, through its various governments, has accompanied Mauritius in its journey towards progress... Before our independence, India had a High Commission in Mauritius. Over the years, we have benefited from India's generous assistance and expertise in key sectors of national development, including but not limited to health, education, capacity building, renewable energy, infrastructure and maritime security. India's timely support in these areas continues to make a tangible difference to improve the quality of life of the Mauritians," he said.

Navinchandra Ramgoolam, currently serving as the Prime Minister of Mauritius, has his roots in India. Ramgoolam is the son of former prime minister and governor-general Seewoosagur Ramgoolam and has led the Labour Party since 1991.

His ancestors, hailing from Harigaon in Bihar’s Bhojpur district, migrated to Mauritius in the 19th century and belonged to the Koeri (Kushwaha) community.

Ramgoolam is an icon for youths in the Harigaon village, which is about 60 km from Patna, an IANS report had said after Ramgoolam was sworn in as Mauritius PM for a second consecutive term.

Ramgoolam's grandfather Mohit Mahto was among the residents of Harigaon, who moved to Mauritius in 1871.

During his visit to Bihar in 2008, Ramgoolam had announced $250,000 aid for the development of his ancestral village. Commending the state government’s development efforts in the village, he said the assistance would go towards building a road, a hospital, and a school.