Abhay Thakur, Indian High Commissioner: “Mauritius enjoys the ‘Most Favoured Nation’ status”

India Republic Day will be celebrated on Thursday 26th of January, its 68th Republic Day this year. This day is proclaimed a national holiday in India, the day the new Constitution was sketched and approved by the Indian Constituent Assembly. The Chief Guest on Indian Republic Day this year is Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al Nahyan. He will be the chief guest of Republic Day parade of 26 January.

India acceded to Independence from British colonial rule on 15th August 1947. However, the Constitution of India only came into effect on 26th January 1950. Since then, the 26th January has been regarded as the Republic Day. Officially, it is celebrated every year in New Delhi, at the Rajpath in the presence of the President of India. Mini celebrations are also held in State capitals in the presence of the Governor.

India has a new diplomatic representative in Mauritius, Abhay Thakur is the new Indian High Commissioner. This is the first time he is attending Republic Day celebrations in this new capacity. News on Sunday met with H.E. Abhay Thakur to regarding the status of bilateral relations between both countries and of projects to be implemented in Mauritius with the financial help of India.

Last year, 123 soldiers of the 35th Infantry Regiment of Belfort, France, participated in the national parade during Republic Day. What about this year? Is there any foreign regiment participating in India’s national day parade? What is the significance of such participation?

A highlight of India’s Republic Day celebrations annually is the display by our armed forces, paramilitary forces and police showcasing their capacities and accomplishments. Foreign military participation in the national day parade, such as by a French contingent last year or expected UAE participation this year, demonstrates our cooperation with friendly partner countries. Similarly, last year, a Mauritian delegation led by the Commissioner of Police, Mr Mario Nobin participated in the International Fleet Review (IFR) which was held at Visakhapatnam, India from 4-8 February 2016. The ‘CGS Barracuda’ also participated in the IFR.

Jawaharlal Nehru is the founder member of the Non-Aligned Movement and yet we witness India’s close links with France, Russia and the USA today. Should we conclude that the Non-Aligned Movement has no more its raison-d’etre?

I don’t see any contradiction between India’s membership of the Non-Aligned Movement and our close partnership with all friendly countries and major global powers.

What have been the landmark developments between India and Mauritius since the last official visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi here?

Since March 2015, cooperation between India and Mauritius in the numerous fields of common interest has further deepened and intensified. India is actively involved in various developmental projects in Mauritius such as the Metro Express, the new Supreme Court building, new ENT hospital, social housing projects and the supply of digital tablets to primary school children. We have also moved forward on the India-Mauritius Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA). Recently, on the occasion of the 14th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a special dispensation for Mauritius potentially enabling all Mauritians who trace their origins to India to apply for Overseas Citizens of India cards. 

Is the DTAA between Mauritius and India still on the agenda or has it become obsolete?

Mauritius continues to enjoy the ‘Most Favoured Nation’ status with India on tax matters. All apprehensions in this regard are unfounded. 

What are the latest developments in bilateral relations between Mauritius and India?

India and Mauritius signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Air Services in December 2016 providing for cooperative marketing arrangements and additional domestic code share. Kolkata and Goa have now been added as domestic code share points, in addition to the existing points of Hyderabad and Ahmedabad. Air Mauritius is already operating direct flights to Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore. 

Maritime security is an important pillar of our cooperation. Frequent visits by military vessels and joint exercises by Indian Navy in partnership with the National Coast Guard of Mauritius help strengthen our combined capacities to better secure the waters of the Indian Ocean.

Visa facilitation was considerably enhanced by the launch of the Electronic Tourist visa facility. The recent liberalisation of the OCI card scheme, which provides for lifelong visa, will help make travelling to India even easier.

What other avenues of cooperation is being explored between both countries?

Cooperation in the field of education continues to be an important aspect of our bilateral cooperation. Mauritius is one of the largest beneficiaries of the ICCR scholarships and every year, around 100 scholarships are extended to Mauritian students for higher education in India. Another 200 or so enrol in Indian Universities every year on a self-financing basis. Government of India also offers C.V. Raman Fellowship to Mauritian researchers for collaborative research in various areas of science and technology in different Indian universities and R&D institutions, under the guidance of host scientists in India. 

India and Mauritius continue to cooperate closely in the field of culture with several exchanges of cultural troupes between the two countries every year. The enthusiastic celebration of International Yoga Day and Festival of India in Mauritius reflect of the vitality of India-Mauritius cultural cooperation.

What about political relations? Where do matters stand?

The year 2016 was marked by a continuation of high level exchanges and significant consolidation of our relations. President Dr. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, Prime Minister Sir Anerood Jugnauth and Finance Minister Pravind Jugnuath visited India in 2016. The Defence Minister of India, Shri Manohar Parrikar, visited Mauritius in December last year. Such visits impart greater momentum to our bilateral engagements. Eight new projects, including five which fall under the Government of India’s assisted special economic package. These are: the World Hindi Secretariat, the Outer Islands infrastructure development project and the new headquarters of the NCG have entered into their implementation phase, as also the new building of the Indian High Commission in Ebene. In the New Year 2017, we are confident of and look forward to a significant, further strengthening of our time-tested and long-standing cooperation with Mauritius.