India, Mauritius to sign agreements

India and Mauritius will hold wide-ranging discussions on Tuesday with a focus on ramping up cooperation in the field of economy and security besides inking a number of agreements.

Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, who arrived in New Delhi on Monday on an official visit, will meet his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh on Tuesday.

"India has occupied a significant and important place in foreign policy activities of Mauritius," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin told reporters in New Delhi.

Indian-origin Ramgoolam had visited India on many occasions since 1995 in various capacities.

Asked if any agreement is likely to be signed during his visit till 10th February, Additional Secretary (East and South Africa) Gurjit Singh said that "with a country with which we have such a close and diverse relationship, there are always a clutch of agreements."

He said final agreements will be worked out by Tuesday.

Mauritius has been a big source of FDI in India.

At last count, about USD 62 billion of investment came in through Mauritius.

Singh said India has a "very cogent" relationship with Mauritius on security front.

"We have also sought to augment their capacity--both human and physical," he said.

India had gifted Mauritius a Dhruv helicopter and installed in April last year a coastal surveillance radar system.

Indian Navy also provides assistance to the country, which has a large number of Indian diaspora.

The two sides are also expected to discuss steps to expand their anti-piracy operations and step up cooperation in issues relating to Indian Ocean security.

China too has become active in the island country.

Noting that China has good relations with Mauritius, Indian envoy to the country T P Seetharaman said "They have had high-level visits. They are taking more and more interest. They are in the process of setting up a Special Economic Zone".

While only 3 per cent of Mauritius population is of Chinese origin, 69 per cent is of Indian origin, most of them are in trade and economic activities.

Ramgoolam will also go to Mumbai to address business leaders and will be the Special Guest of Honour at the convocation ceremony of Kurukshetra University on Wednesday when an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws will be conferred on him.

His other engagements would include meetings with Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister S Jaipal Reddy and the Minister of State for External Affairs.

He will also call on President Pratibha Patil and Vice President Hamid Ansari.