Port Louis:

President Drupadi Murmu on Monday met Mauritian President Prithviraj Rupone and held comprehensive discussions on how to take forward the long-standing and multifaceted bilateral relations between India and Mauritius.

President Murmu presented to President Rupan the RuPay card recently launched in Mauritius.

Ms Murmu arrived earlier in the day on a three-day state visit, during which she will be the chief guest at the country’s National Day celebrations on Tuesday.

The official account of the President of India posted on X that President Murmu had a warm and friendly meeting with President Rupeng at the Presidential Palace.

“The two leaders discussed ways to further strengthen the unique and multifaceted bilateral relationship, including through capacity building, science and technology, and cooperation on various development projects,” the statement said, sharing some photos of the meeting.

President Murmu had a warm and friendly meeting with President Prithviraj Rupone of Mauritius at the Presidential Palace.

The two leaders discussed ways to further strengthen the unique and multifaceted bilateral relationship, including through capabilities… pic.twitter.com/5Q7SbKIKBl

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) March 11, 2024

President Murmu also expressed his appreciation for the Ayurvedic Garden established at the State House premises last year.

In a series of posts on X, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Ms Murmu was warmly received by Rupan at the State House ahead of the bilateral talks.

The statement shared several photos of the meeting: “The two leaders discussed how to advance the long-standing and close relationship between India and Mauritius, which is built on the solid foundation of blood ties, culture and strong people-to-people ties.” .

Roopun, 64, was born into an Arya Samaj family.

Murmu also visited the Ayurveda Garden set up at the Rashtrapati Bhavan last year in collaboration with the Ministry of Ayurveda.

“Traditional medicine is an important area of ​​cooperation between the two countries,” the MEA stressed, sharing some photos of President Murmu’s visit to the Ayurvedic Garden.

The President also paid tribute to Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam and Sir Anirudh Jugnauth at the Pamplemousse Botanical Gardens.

MEA shared the photo on Deepening the long-standing friendship between India and Mauritius.”

When Mauritian President Pravind Kumar Jugnauth arrived at the airport, he was greeted with high national honors by Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth. India and Mauritius “reflected the special gesture of India.” and Mauritius”.

During the National Day celebrations, an Indian Naval contingent will also participate in the event along with two ships – INS Tir and CGS Sarathi.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mauritius stated that in addition to bilateral meetings with President Rupon and Prime Minister Jugnauth, Murmu will also meet with the Speaker of the National Assembly of Mauritius, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Mauritius and important Mauritian leaders during the three-day visit .

Murmu and Jugnauth will jointly launch 14 Indian aid projects, demonstrating the expanding and multifaceted nature of New Delhi’s dynamic development partnership with Mauritius, which forms a “key pillar” of the bilateral relationship.

The president will also witness the exchange of important bilateral agreements aimed at further strengthening strong bilateral institutional cooperation and capacity-building cooperation between the two countries, MEA said.

“As the sixth Indian President since 2000 to attend Mauritius’ National Day as the chief guest, President Murmu’s state visit highlights the long-lasting relationship between India and Mauritius,” the MEA said.

“It reaffirms the two countries’ continued commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations in all fields and deepening our close people-to-people ties,” the statement said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)