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Modi-Mauritius PM meet likely in Kashi on Sept 11

Modi-Mauritius PM meet likely in Kashi on Sept 11

Time of India2 days ago
Varanasi: Prime Minister
Narendra Modi
is likely to host Mauritius PM Navin Ramgoolam in Varanasi on Sept 11.
As per the initial intimation from the Ministry of External Affairs received by the district officials, a bilateral meeting of both the PMs has been also proposed in the city on the same day.
Talking to TOI on Tuesday, divisional commissioner S Rajalingam said that as per the initial intimation from the Ministry of External Affairs, a bilateral meeting of PM Narendra Modi and the Mauritius PM has been proposed here on Sept 11.
The minutes of the proposed visit of both the PMs have not been received, said the divisional commissioner, who has been appointed the nodal officer for the preparations of the proposed bilateral meeting.
He has been also assigned the task to welcome the guests and select the venues.
It would be the third occasion when Modi would host the premier of another country in his parliamentary constituency. In Dec 2015, Modi hosted the then Japanese PM, the late Shinzo Abe. The visit of the Japanese PM resulted in the gifting of an international convention centre, Rudraksh, as a symbol of Indo-Japan friendship. Modi hosted French President Emmanuel Macron in the city in March 2018.
After inaugurating a solar power plant in Mirzapur, the PM Modi and the French President visited the Deen Dayal Hastkala Sankul to interact with artisans and view a live demonstration of their crafts.
Later, they both enjoyed a boat ride from Assi to Dashaswamedh.
The officials said that apart from the venue of the proposed bilateral meeting, other places where the guest will visit and events in which he will take part will be finalised soon. The agenda of the bilateral meeting is expected to remain focused on trade and tourism.
Before Ramgoolam, his predecessor, Pravind Jugnauth, arrived in the city in Sept 2023.
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