Indian Prez Embarks On 3-day Visit To Mauritius

New Delhi, Mar 12, IRNA – India’s President Pranab Mukherjee Monday embarked on a three-day visit to Mauritius. He will be the chief guest at the national day celebrations of Mauritius. India and Mauritius will sign several bilateral pacts in social sectors, including health and tourism, during Mukherjeeˈs visit to the Indian Ocean island nation. India and Mauritius enjoy close historical relations and New Delhi has termed the ties as ˈunique, special and extra ordinaryˈ. During his visit, Mukherjee will have meetings with Mauritius President Rajkeswur Purryag, Prime Minister Navin C Ramgoolam, Speaker of the National Assembly Abdool Razack Peeroo, Chief Justice Y. K. J. Yeung Sik Yuen and Leader of the Opposition Paul Bérenger. India gives highest importance to its relations with Mauritius as 70 per cent of its people are Indian origin and 38 per cent its Foreign Direct Investment comes from that country, in addition to its geo strategic location, Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs Sudhir Vyas has said. This is Mukherjeeˈs second visit abroad after assuming the office of President. Last week, he had visited Bangladesh./end