Mauritius can be used as a gateway by Indian investors for Africa, says country's Foreign Minister Dhananjay Ramful
In an interview with ANI, Dhananjay Ramful, the Mauritius Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration, and International Trade, said India has provided extensive assistance in completing development projects in his country.
He said the two countries have Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA) and Mauritius looks forward to making this trade agreement more purposeful and useful.
Mauritius and India signed a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA) on February 22, 2021, during the visit of the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. It came into force on April 1, 2021. The India-Mauritius CECPA is the first trade agreement signed by India with an African country.
Dhananjay Ramful said India and Mauritius are reorienting their relationship and talking about a strategic partnership.
"The preparations are unique and special given that we have a very special bond with India. This is a very long historical relationship that we are talking about. It goes back to 1948, and since then, this relationship has strengthened over the years, and we have had various exchanges. In the meantime, we are talking about cultural exchanges, (improvement in) economic and trade relationship. Now we are reorienting that relationship. We are talking about a strategic partnership nowadays between Mauritius and India," he said.
"India has been a partner in development, all the way. India has given us a lot of assistance in terms of many infrastructural projects. This short interview will not be enough for the list. We have the Metro project, you have the new Supreme Court building, you have the new ENT Hospital... India has constructed a runway - so many projects have been implemented in Mauritius. India has stood shoulder to shoulder with Mauritius in completing those projects," he added.
Dhananjay Ramful said Africa is rising and Mauritius can be used as a platform, a gateway to invest in the countries in the continent.
"Now, in terms of economic trade, we also have CECPA, the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with India. We are looking forward to make this trade agreement more purposeful and useful. The message I am giving to Indian investors is that we have to look at it as Mauritius being a gateway to Africa," he said.
"Africa has 1.3 billion consumers. Africa is rising and Mauritius can be used as a platform, a gateway to invest in Africa - bearing in mind that Mauritius is a member of various organisations. All these institutions are there for Indian investors to make purposeful meaning of the free trade agreement we have with India, and to invest in various sectors - pharmaceutical sector, education. There are various sectors where Indian investors can come to invest," he added.
PM Modi will pay a State Visit to Mauritius on March 11-12 to attend the National Day celebrations of Mauritius on 12th March as the Chief Guest. A contingent of Indian Defence Forces will participate in the celebrations along with a ship from the Indian Navy. Prime Minister last visited Mauritius in 2015.
During the visit, Prime Minister will call on the President of Mauritius, meet the Prime Minister, and hold meetings with senior dignitaries and leaders of political parties in Mauritius. Prime Minister will also interact with the members of the Indian-origin community, and inaugurate the Civil Service College and the Area Health Centre, both built with India's grant assistance. A number of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) will be exchanged during the visit.
© Muscat Media Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
28 minutes ago
- Khaleej Times
India to maintain Russian oil imports despite Trump threats, government sources say
India will keep purchasing oil from Russia despite U.S. President Donald Trump's threats of penalties, two Indian government sources told Reuters on Saturday, not wishing to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter. On top of a new 25% tariff on India's exports to the U.S., Trump indicated in a Truth Social post last month that India would face additional penalties for purchases of Russian arms and oil. On Friday, Trump told reporters he had heard that India would no longer be buying oil from Russia. But the sources said there would be no immediate changes. "These are long-term oil contracts," one of the sources said. "It is not so simple to just stop buying overnight." Justifying India's oil purchases from Russia, a second source said India's imports of Russian grades had helped avoid a global surge in oil prices, which have remained subdued despite Western curbs on the Russian oil sector. Unlike Iranian and Venezuelan oil, Russian crude is not subject to direct sanctions, and India is buying it below the current price cap fixed by the European Union, the source said. The New York Times also quoted two unnamed senior Indian officials on Saturday as saying there had been no change in Indian government policy. Indian government authorities did not respond to Reuters' request for official comment on its oil purchasing intentions. However, during a regular press briefing on Friday, foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India has a "steady and time-tested partnership" with Russia. "On our energy sourcing requirements ... we look at what is there available in the markets, what is there on offer, and also what is the prevailing global situation or circumstances," he said. The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment. India's top supplier Trump, who has made ending Russia's war in Ukraine a priority of his administration since returning to office this year, has expressed growing impatience with Russian President Vladimir Putin in recent weeks. He has threatened 100% tariffs on U.S. imports from countries that buy Russian oil unless Moscow reaches a major peace deal with Ukraine. Russia is the leading supplier to India, the world's third-largest oil importer and consumer, accounting for about 35% of its overall supplies. India imported about 1.75 million barrels per day of Russian oil from January to June this year, up 1% from a year ago, according to data provided to Reuters by sources. But while the Indian government may not be deterred by Trump's threats, sources told Reuters this week that Indian state refiners stopped buying Russian oil after July discounts narrowed to their lowest since 2022 - when sanctions were first imposed on Moscow - due to lower Russian exports and steady demand. Indian Oil Corp, Hindustan Petroleum Corp , Bharat Petroleum Corp and Mangalore Refinery Petrochemical Ltd have not sought Russian crude in the past week or so, four sources told Reuters. Nayara Energy - a refinery majority-owned by Russian entities, including oil major Rosneft, and major buyer of Russian oil - was recently sanctioned by the EU. Nayara's chief executive resigned following the sanctions, and three vessels laden with oil products from Nayara Energy have yet to discharge their cargoes, hindered by the new EU sanctions, Reuters reported last week.
Khaleej Times
2 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Miffed with WCL after India's withdrawal, Pakistan pull out of future editions of tournament
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially announced that it will no longer participate in any future editions of the World Championship of Legends (WCL), raising concerns about the tournament's fairness, integrity, and political neutrality, The Nation reported, citing the PCB. "The championship's handling of events appeared to be under invisible pressures," the PCB noted. "The apology issued later seemed motivated by a specific form of nationalism, making it difficult for us to continue our participation," it added. The decision was taken during a Board of Governors meeting, chaired by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. According to The Nation, the board pointed to "double standards and politically motivated actions." One of the most contentious issues raised by the board was the decision to award points to a team that had voluntarily forfeited a match, a move the PCB claimed as "highly questionable" and against the spirit of fair competition. The board further criticised the press release put out by WCL organisers after the India-Pakistan match was called off. It termed the communication "politically charged and prejudiced." The PCB said it would not take part in any event where the values of neutrality and fair play are undermined. The board made it clear that it will not be associated with tournaments that allow external agendas to dictate the course of the game. Earlier, the EaseMyTrip Co-founder Nishant Pitti has clarified that it will not be associated with any India-Pakistan match in the World Championship of Legends (WCL). The company clarified its stance, stating that despite entering into a 5-year sponsorship agreement with WCL two years ago, it will not associate with or participate in any match involving Pakistan. Pitti took to his X account to express support for the Indian team, while explaining the company's position. "India vs Pakistan - WCL Semi-Final. We applaud Team India @India_Champions for their outstanding performance in the World Championship of Legends. You've made the nation proud. However, the upcoming semi-final against Pakistan is not just another game. Terror and cricket cannot go hand in hand," Pitti said in his post. He further added, "@EaseMyTrip, we stand with India. We cannot support any event that attempts to normalise relations with a country that promotes terrorism. The people of India have spoken and we hear them. EaseMyTrip will not be associated with the India vs Pakistan match in WCL. Some things are bigger than sport. Nation first, business later. Always. Jai Hind." Relations between India and Pakistan have deteriorated sharply following the deadly April 22 terror attack at Pahalgam in the Indian-administered Kashmir. India blamed Pakistan for the attack — an allegation strongly rejected by the Pakistan government — which killed 26 civilians. What followed was a four-day military conflict between the two nuclear-armed South Asian neighbours in May before a ceasefire was announced. Meanwhile, South Africa Champions (197/1 in 16.5 overs) won the final on Saturday with a comprehensive nine-wicket victory over Pakistan Champions (195/5 in 20 overs). Ab de Villiers (120 not out off 60 balls, 12 fours and 6 sixes) was the hero for South Africa Champions who chased down the target of 195 with 19 balls and eight wickets in hand. For Pakistan, Sharjeel Khan had top-scored with 76 off 44 balls. Earlier, the South Africans beat Australia Champions in the semifinal, while Pakistan advanced to the final after India forfeited their semifinal. This was the second edition of the tournament, with India Champions winning the inaugural event last year.
Arabian Post
3 hours ago
- Arabian Post
OPEC+ Set to Approve Oil Output Hike Amid Supply Fears
OPEC+ members are poised to approve a significant increase in oil output at a crucial meeting scheduled for Sunday. Sources indicate that the group will likely raise production, though discussions are still ongoing over the exact size of the hike for September. The decision follows rising concerns about global oil supplies and the potential for further disruptions from Russia. This move comes as the international community grapples with the impacts of sanctions and geopolitical tensions, including the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The oil cartel, comprising the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and other non-member allies like Russia, has been accelerating production increases over the past few months. The decision stems from a combination of factors, with an acute focus on the global oil stockpiles, which have remained low despite efforts to stabilize supply. The urgency is compounded by seasonal slowdowns in demand, which have raised questions about balancing supply with market conditions. OPEC+ leaders have also been closely monitoring the evolving situation in Russia, which continues to face economic and energy sanctions from Western nations. These sanctions, aimed at curbing Russia's oil exports, have prompted the Kremlin to seek alternative buyers for its crude oil. At the same time, the United States has renewed its calls for India to reduce its purchases of Russian oil, intensifying diplomatic pressure. Washington's strategy is driven by its broader geopolitical objective of isolating Moscow economically while pushing for a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine conflict. ADVERTISEMENT This dynamic has placed India in a delicate position. As one of the largest consumers of Russian oil, India has maintained its imports despite mounting external pressure. This situation has intensified after the European Union's sanctions on Russia, forcing some Indian state refiners to suspend their purchases of Russian oil. With OPEC+ members aware of the broader geopolitical context, their decisions will be shaped not just by market conditions but also by the complex web of international relations and the shifting allegiances in global energy trade. In recent months, the collective oil production of OPEC+ members has become a focal point in global discussions on energy security. The cartel's decisions carry significant weight in influencing oil prices, particularly as economies emerge from the pandemic and recover from inflationary pressures. The oil market has shown signs of volatility, with fluctuations in prices reflecting both the tightening supply and rising concerns about geopolitical tensions. The meeting scheduled for Sunday will likely be decisive for OPEC+ members, many of whom are keen to boost production to meet global demand. Saudi Arabia, as the group's leading producer, has expressed concerns about the pace of supply increases, but has also indicated its willingness to cooperate on finding a balanced approach. The UAE and other Gulf states have similarly shown a commitment to addressing market imbalances, although there are notable differences in opinion regarding how aggressively the group should ramp up output. A key issue at the heart of the debate is the uncertainty surrounding the Russian supply. Moscow's ability to maintain its oil exports amid sanctions has been questioned by some members, and the broader impact of any further disruptions is a critical point of discussion. Russia's oil output has remained relatively stable despite sanctions, but the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and potential future sanctions may disrupt this trend. Further complicating the situation is the fact that some OPEC+ members, such as Iraq and Algeria, have been more cautious about increasing output due to concerns over market stability. They argue that the global oil market remains fragile, and any major increase in production could lead to oversupply, ultimately lowering prices and undermining efforts to stabilize the market.
