The e-Export Directory: Your Gateway to Global Markets
30 Sep 2025
In this interview with Mr. Mahen Kundasamy, CEO of the Economic Development Board (EDB), we explore the deep-rooted relationship between India and Mauritius, how it has evolved over the years, and the concrete outcomes expected from the recent State Visit of Prime Minister Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam to India.
How have relations between India and Mauritius evolved over the years, and what milestones would you highlight in this journey?
Mauritius and India have built a relationship that goes back generations, woven from shared history and culture that predates our independence.
Economic ties between India and Mauritius have grown steadily since the 1970s. As early as 1974, Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, then Prime Minister, laid the foundations of this partnership during his official visit to India, marking the beginning of strong institutional cooperation. The signing of the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement in 1982 further strengthened Mauritius’s position as a preferred platform for India-bound investments, making it one of the top sources of FDI into India for decades. More recently, in 2018, Mauritius became the first country to sign a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA) with India, underlining the strategic importance of this partnership. Today, trade between the two nations continues to grow, cementing India’s place as one of Mauritius’s key trading partners.
Beyond economic ties, India is also a strategic ally whose support has extended across infrastructure, maritime security, renewable energy, and technology. This relationship has evolved from traditional bilateral assistance into a long-standing and ever-deepening partnership focused on shared prosperity and regional integration.
Following the Mauritian Prime Minister’s recent State Visit to India, what tangible outcomes can we expect, especially in the areas of investment, trade, and regional connectivity?
The recent State Visit of the Prime Minister of Mauritius, Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam, to India was undertaken at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aiming to reinforce the ‘Enhanced Strategic Partnership’ launched during PM Modi’s visit to Mauritius in March 2025.
The direct outcomes include a series of projects and assistance from India to Mauritius, comprising grants and lines of credit in strategic sectors under a Special Economic Package worth USD 680 million. Under a USD 215 million grant, four specific projects will be implemented: a new Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam National Hospital, an Ayurvedic Centre of Excellence, a Veterinary School and Animal Hospital as well as provision of helicopters.
Furthermore, major infrastructure projects aimed at improving connectivity will be implemented through grants and a line of credit totaling USD 440 million. These include the construction of the new Air Traffic Control Tower at SSR International Airport, Motorway M4, Ring Road Phase II, and the acquisition of port equipment by the Cargo Handling Corporation. Additionally, budgetary assistance of USD 25 million will be extended to Mauritius for 2025-2026.
The India-Mauritius Business Conclave, organised by the Economic Development Board (EDB) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), brought together 200 stakeholders, including 55 private sector stakeholders from Mauritius. Indian businesses were invited to explore opportunities across all economic sectors, particularly those highlighted in the recent Budget such as waste-to-wealth, healthcare, innovation, hospitality, and research. A Mauritius-India Special Economic Zone (MISEZ) was also proposed to attract Indian investment.
As part of the CEO Roundtable and Business Engagement, EDB organised sessions in Mumbai and Varanasi. In Mumbai, 15 Indian CEOs and key companies held one-on-one meetings focusing on digital banking, multi-specialty hospitals, construction and industrial projects, and 5-star hotels, while a working session with 50 members of the World Trade Centre Mumbai explored investments and trade under CECPA. In Varanasi, a business meet organised with Invest UP brought together 50 companies from Uttar Pradesh. Following the mission, the India Gateway Desk was setup at the level of the EDB to facilitate Indian investments and maintain follow-up with contacts made during these engagements.
KEY FACTS
To date, more than 170 MoUs have been signed between India and Mauritius.
The State Visit laid the groundwork for collaboration across more diverse sectors, with seven MoUs exchanged in areas including science and technology, scientific research, financial crime prevention, promotion of SMEs, public service capacity building, and local currency trade, among others. Three additional MoUs were also announced in the fields of higher education and the establishment of a 17.5 MW floating solar park at Tamarind Falls.
Indian companies operating in Mauritius
Many prominent Indian Public Sector Enterprises are currently functioning in Mauritius. The Bank of Baroda (BoB), Life Insurance Corporation (LIC), and New India Assurance Corporation (NIAC) were the first to establish operations, followed by other Public Sector Units (PSUs) including Telecommunications Consultant India Ltd (TCIL), IndianOil (Mauritius) Limited (IOML), Mahanagar Telephone (Mauritius) Ltd., State Bank of India (Mauritius) Limited, NBCC Ltd and EdCIL (India) Ltd. Besides their core activities, the PSUs have also contributed to various activities in Mauritius under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) schemes.
Some 78 Indian companies have invested in Mauritius in several sectors such as healthcare, education, ICT, Freeport and financial services. Some of the prominent Indian companies operating in Mauritius are Amity, Infosys, Dr. Aggarwal’s Eye Hospital, The Oberoi etc.
