Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri today said India and Mauritius are working together to address challenges related to maritime security, piracy, and drug trafficking as two neighbours in a very important maritime neighbourhood. Briefing the media this afternoon, Mr Misri said Mauritius is an integral part of India’s Neighbourhood First Policy and Vision MAHASAGAR. He added that the India-Mauritius bilateral relationship is a unique relationship rooted in cultural, civilisational and ethnic bonds.

He said it is underpinned by close people-to-people relations and growing trade, economic, financial and investment ties and a substantive developmental partnership between the two countries. The Foreign Secretary said India has been a First Responder and Net Security provider in the Indian Ocean Region, and Mauritius is no exception to that. He further stated that this is a partnership that has evolved in diverse areas, including development cooperation, maritime security, and healthcare development.