Mauritius reiterates support for India's UNSC permanent membership

Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth on Saturday reiterated his country unwavering support to India's legitimate aspiration for permanent membership of the United Nation Security Council (UNSC).

"I reiterated to PM of India the unwavering support of Mauritius to India's legitimate aspiration for permanent membership of the UNSC," Prime Minister Jugnauth said during a joint press conference with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He said both Mauritius and India have agreed that there can be no compromise when it comes to sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Prime Minister Jugnauth appreciated and expressed his gratitude for India's support to Mauritius in pursuit of the legitmate right to exercise sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago.

He said the already excellent bonds between Mauritius and India have taken on a new dimension ever since he became prime minister.

"We have developed a strong bilateral cooperation between Mauritius and India in the field of defence and security," he said.

Prime Minister Jugnauth further said that he and his Indian counterpart discussed bilateral cooperation, infrastructure development and major projects that are currently going on and certain others issues of mutual interests.

"These projects are in line with ambition of my government in making Mauritius a country that is well integrated in global economy ready to take up challenges and explore opportunities that can answer the needs and aspirations of its people," he added.

He said that he had informed the Indian authorities about the progress made in a month in the implementation of the Metro Express project, and added that this project is of paramount importance to defining the future of Mauritius.

Prime Minister Jugnauth said once operational, the Metro Express will play a pivotal role in next phase of economic development of Mauritius.

"Another pillar of the close cooperation between Mauritius and India relates to the ocean that binds the two countries. Mauritius has one of the extensive expanses of ocean over which we exercise certain rights. We also need to ensure that our sea links are safe and secure and our regular patrolling is conducted to combat illegal activities such as piracy and illegal fishing in our territorial waters and drug trafficking among others," he said.

Prime Minister Jugnauth said the acquisition of offshore patrol vessels and fast intercept able boats have enhanced the capacity of Mauritian police and National Coast Guards to patrol and protect the country's maritime zones.

He also appreciated the training dispensed to Mauritian police personnel by the Indian authorities that has enhanced their skills and competencies in matters relating to the protection of waters and preservation of peace in the country and in the region.

"I have also taken with Prime Minister Modi and Indian authorities the issue of Comprehensive Economic Partnership and Agreement (CEPA) between our two countries," he said.

Expressing happiness over the resumption of CEPA negotiations last year, Prime Minister Jugnauth said that they are looking to its conclusion by the end of this year.

"CEPA will play a major role in economic dynamics of two the countries by enhancing trade by enabling entities of two countries coming together in joint projects in Africa," he said.

India and Mauritius have signed agreements on long term collaboration in education, training and research and science and technology, setting up a civil service college in Mauritius to enhance the efficiency of civil service, International Solar Alliance agreement .

Earlier, Prime Minister Jugnauth was given a ceremonial welcome in the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhawan here on Saturday at the start of his three-day state visit.

He was received by Prime Minister Modi in the forecourt of the official presidential residence.

Thereafter, he inspected a tri-services guard of honour and then proceeded to the tented receptorium where he was introduced to members of the Prime Minister Modi's cabinet and other dignitaries. He also introduced Prime Minister Modi to his delegation.

-ANI