Mauritian PM Ramgoolam Calls PM Modi ‘Mara Bhai’ During National Day Celebrations

Video of Mauritius PM calling his counterpart PM Modi ‘mara bhai’ has now gone viral on social media. Modi’s two-day visit to Mauritius culminated in receiving the Grand Commander award, the highest honour from the nation, and signing of eight MoUs between the two nations.

Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam of Mauritius praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to the island nation and called him “Mara Bhai Modi Ji, Tamahro abaar” (My Brother Modi Ji), a Gujarati expression.

The PM of Bhutan addresses PM Modi as “bhai.”

Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as his “elder brother” and “mentor” during a keynote speech at the School of Ultimate Leadership in New Delhi earlier in February. He asked for his advice on how to help him contribute to the transformation of public service in the neighboring country.

The audience gave Tobgay a lot of applause for his extensive use of Hindi. “Without a doubt, I see an image of an elder brother in you, who always guides me and helps me (‘Nisandeh, aap mei ek bade bhai ki chhavi dekhta hun, jo sadaiv mera margdarshan karte hain, aur mujhe sahayta dete hain’),” said the man.

MoUs signed between Mauritius and India

The two countries signed a number of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) that focused on a variety of topics, including shipping information sharing, water, and currency settlement systems.

To strengthen their strategic partnership, the Central Bank of Mauritius and the Reserve Bank of India signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the Local Currency Settlement System and a Credit Facility Agreement between the Government of Mauritius and the State Bank of India to finance projects being carried out by the Central Water Authority under the Pipe Replacement Program.

The leaders signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the Technical Sharing of White Shipping Information between the Indian Navy and the Mauritius Police Force, as well as a Memorandum of Understanding on Training Program for Diplomats between the Institute of Foreign Service of India and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration, and International Trade of Mauritius.

New vision for Global South

Against the backdrop of China’s unrelenting efforts to increase its influence in the region, Prime Minister Modi presented a bold vision for security and development for the Global South from Mauritius.

Modi said that “MAHASAGAR”—”Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions”—India’s new vision for the Global South will bring about growth and security in his media statement.

“Our vision for Global South will be MAHASAGAR — Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions,” he said on the second and final day of his visit to this island nation.

“Our vision focuses on trade for development, capacity building for sustainable growth, and mutual security for a shared future,” he said.

He also recalled how, ten years ago, in Mauritius, India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision was presented.

PM’s trip to Mauritius for two days

When PM Modi arrived in Mauritius on March 11, his Mauritius counterpart Ramgoolam gave him a garland and a ceremonial welcome at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport.

The Speaker of the National Assembly, the Leader of the Opposition, the Foreign Minister, the Cabinet Secretary, the Chairperson of the Grand Port District Council, the Deputy Prime Minister, the Chief Justice of Mauritius, and numerous others joined Ramgoolam.

To greet PM Modi, 200 dignitaries were in attendance.

\In addition, the PM met with Leader of the Opposition Georges Pierre Lesjongard and former Mauritius counterpart Pravind Kumar Jugnauth on Wednesday to discuss a number of bilateral relationship-related topics.

PM Modi’s highest civilian honor

PM Ramgoolam of Mauritius made history on Tuesday by announcing that PM Modi would receive the highest honor, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean.

Notably, PM Modi is the first Indian to be honored in this way.

This marks the 21st time a nation has given PM Modi an international honor.

‘The Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean’ is very fitting for you, Prime Minister, said Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam during the event.

“Since we became a Republic only five foreign dignitaries have got that title and among them is the Gandhi of Africa, Nelson Mandela who received it in 1998″ , the prime minister of Mauritius said.

The last two times PM Modi visited Mauritius were in 2015 and 1998.

Mauritius, a former British and French colony that attained independence in 1968, counts India as one of its biggest trading partners. The fact that almost 70% of the 1.2 million people living in the island nation are of Indian descent is a major factor in the unique ties (12 lakhs).