Today in History: Slavery abolished in Mauritius, first volume of Oxford English Dictionary published, and more!

Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/president-kovind-pm-modi-pay-floral-tribute-to-ambedkar-on-his-63rd-death-anniversary-266582">Narendra Modi</a> met his Mauritius counterpart <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/pm-narendra-modi-oath-ceremony-four-presidents-three-pms-and-millions-glued-on-tv-screens-222583">Pravind Kumar Jugnauth </a>in New Delhi on Friday.

Jugnauth is on a visit to India, which has come weeks after his victory in the recently concluded parliamentary elections.

PM Modi had congratulated Jugnauth over his victory during a telephonic conversation last month and extended him an invitation to visit New Delhi at his early convenience, which was accepted by the latter.

During the conversation, the Prime Minister had reiterated India's commitment to continue close and extensive cooperation between India and Mauritius for mutual benefit. 
&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his Mauritius counterpart Pravind Kumar Jugnauth in New Delhi on Friday. Jugnauth is on a visit to India, which has come weeks after his victory in the recently concluded parliamentary elections.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his Mauritius counterpart Pravind Kumar Jugnauth in New Delhi on Friday. Jugnauth is on a visit to India, which has come weeks after his victory in the recently concluded parliamentary elections. PM Modi had congratulated Jugnauth over his victory during a telephonic conversation last month and extended him an invitation to visit New Delhi at his early convenience, which was accepted by the latter. During the conversation, the Prime Minister had reiterated India's commitment to continue close and extensive cooperation between India and Mauritius for mutual benefit.

PM Modi meets Mauritius counterpart Pravind Jugnauth

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said India and Mauritius are diverse and vibrant democracies, which are committed to working for the prosperity of their people as well as for peace in the region and the world.

Prime Minister Modi, after jointly inaugurated two landmark projects in Mauritius with his island nation counterpart Pravind Jugnauth via video conference on Thursday, said: "These projects are the symbol of India's strong commitment to the development of Mauritius."

"We are proud that India has partnered with Mauritius in these and other projects of direct public interest. Last year, a joint project provided e-tablets to young children. The new Supreme Court building and one thousand social housing units are coming up rapidly," added Modi.

PM Modi and Jugnauth jointly inaugurated the Phase-1 of the Metro Express and a new ENT Hospital.

"This is a new chapter in our shared history, heritage and cooperation. These developments make the inauguration of the first phase of the Metro project an even more joyous occasion. The Metro will provide clean, efficient and time-saving transport. It will contribute to economic activities and tourism," said Modi.

Talking about the hospital, the Prime Minister said the project will contribute to quality healthcare. "The state-of-the-art ENT hospital will contribute to quality healthcare. It has an energy-efficient building and will offer paper-less services."

"Both these projects will serve the people of Mauritius. They are a symbol of India's strong commitment to the development of Mauritius," he added.

Modi also thanked the Mauritius government for joining the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure as a founding member.

Jugnauth thanked India for the support and assistance and said the people of Mauritius will ever be grateful to India.

"Without India's support and assistance, we will never have progressed so quickly in implementing not only the metro express project but also projects such as new ENT Hospital that we relaunched a few moments ago," he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said India and Mauritius are diverse and vibrant democracies, which are committed to working for the prosperity of their people as well as for peace in the region and the world.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said India and Mauritius are diverse and vibrant democracies, which are committed to working for the prosperity of their people as well as for peace in the region and the world. Prime Minister Modi, after jointly inaugurated two landmark projects in Mauritius with his island nation counterpart Pravind Jugnauth via video conference on Thursday, said: "These projects are the symbol of India's strong commitment to the development of Mauritius." "We are proud that India has partnered with Mauritius in these and other projects of direct public interest. Last year, a joint project provided e-tablets to young children. The new Supreme Court building and one thousand social housing units are coming up rapidly," added Modi. PM Modi and Jugnauth jointly inaugurated the Phase-1 of the Metro Express and a new ENT Hospital. "This is a new chapter in our shared history, heritage and cooperation. These developments make the inauguration of the first phase of the Metro project an even more joyous occasion. The Metro will provide clean, efficient and time-saving transport. It will contribute to economic activities and tourism," said Modi. Talking about the hospital, the Prime Minister said the project will contribute to quality healthcare. "The state-of-the-art ENT hospital will contribute to quality healthcare. It has an energy-efficient building and will offer paper-less services." "Both these projects will serve the people of Mauritius. They are a symbol of India's strong commitment to the development of Mauritius," he added. Modi also thanked the Mauritius government for joining the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure as a founding member. Jugnauth thanked India for the support and assistance and said the people of Mauritius will ever be grateful to India. "Without India's support and assistance, we will never have progressed so quickly in implementing not only the metro express project but also projects such as new ENT Hospital that we relaunched a few moments ago," he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates two landmark projects in Mauritius via video conference

In this segment of WION, Watch Mauritius Former President Ameenah Gurib-Fakim Speaks to WION.

WION Exclusive: In conversation with Mauritius Former President Ameenah Gurib-Fakim

WION Exclusive: Mauritius Former President Ameenah Gurib-Fakim Speaks to WION

Pope Francis will visit disaster-hit Mozambique and Indian Ocean nations Madagascar and Mauritius in September, the Vatican announced on Wednesday.

The visit is scheduled at a time when the countries are&nbsp;reeling under the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/185-million-people-affected-by-cyclone-idai-un-agency-205777">adverse consequences of the disaster</a> that hit the East-African and Indian ocean nations early this month.

The pope will visit the capitals of Maputo, Antananarivo and Port Louis during the September 4-10 visit, a statement said, with the precise programme to be decided later.

Days after the disaster, Mozambique said on Wednesday that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mozambique-confirms-first-cholera-cases-in-wake-of-cyclone-206016">five cases of cholera&nbsp;were confirmed </a>around the badly damaged port city of Beira.

Cyclone Idai smashed into Mozambique&nbsp;around midnight on March 14 before tearing through neighbouring Zimbabwe and Malawi, displacing hundreds of thousands of people and wrecking an area of 3,000 sq km (1,200 sq miles).

The powerful cyclone has killed more than 700 people across a swathe of southern Africa in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi.

(With input from agencies)

Pope Francis will visit disaster-hit Mozambique and Indian Ocean nations Madagascar and Mauritius in September, the Vatican announced on Wednesday. The visit is scheduled at a time when the countries are reeling under the adverse consequences of the disaster that hit the East-African and Indian ocean nations early this month.

Pope Francis will visit disaster-hit Mozambique and Indian Ocean nations Madagascar and Mauritius in September, the Vatican announced on Wednesday. The visit is scheduled at a time when the countries are reeling under the adverse consequences of the disaster that hit the East-African and Indian ocean nations early this month. The pope will visit the capitals of Maputo, Antananarivo and Port Louis during the September 4-10 visit, a statement said, with the precise programme to be decided later. Days after the disaster, Mozambique said on Wednesday that five cases of cholera were confirmed around the badly damaged port city of Beira. Cyclone Idai smashed into Mozambique around midnight on March 14 before tearing through neighbouring Zimbabwe and Malawi, displacing hundreds of thousands of people and wrecking an area of 3,000 sq km (1,200 sq miles). The powerful cyclone has killed more than 700 people across a swathe of southern Africa in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi. (With input from agencies)

Pope to visit disaster hit Mozambique, Madagascar, Mauritius in September

There was a moment of absolute scare for the Mauritius air traffic control and external minister Sushma Swaraj's aircraft crew after her VVIP aircraft "Meghdoot" flying from Trivandrum to Mauritius, on her way to South Africa, went incommunicado for about 14 minutes on Saturday, reports said. However, authorities insist that it would not comprise a 'mid air scare'.

The plane, Embraer ERJ135 named “Meghdoot”, had taken off from Trivandrum at 4 pm and lost contact at around 4.44 pm.

After the Mauritius authorities could not establish connection with flight IFC-31, it declared ‘INCERFA’ alarm at 4.44 pm which is used at a time when it is not known whether the aircraft and its occupants are safe or not. Mauritius also contacted the Chennai air traffic control, which was the last flight information region to be in touch with ‘Meghdoot’.

After a panic of 12-14 minutes, the pilots of the plane contacted Mauritius ATC at 4.58 pm.

As per reports, an official informed that communication over oceanic area is often problematic due to erratic VHF signals.&nbsp;

The 14-minute long uncertainty phase (INCERFA) is first of the three emergency phases under International Civil Aviation Organisation’s Chicago Convention.&nbsp;

The second is “alert phase” (ALERFA) in which apprehension exists as to the safety of an aircraft and its occupants. The third is “distress phase” (DETRESFA) wherein there is a reasonable certainty that an aircraft and its occupants are threatened by grave and imminent danger and require immediate assistance.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj left on a five-day visit to South Africa on Saturday where she will meet top leadership of the country and attend meetings of BRICS and IBSA — the two major groups where India has been playing a major role.&nbsp;

She will also attend events marking the 125th anniversary of the historic incident where a young Mahatma Gandhi was thrown out of a train compartment in Pietermaritzburg railway station, the Ministry of External Affairs said.

Sushma's Embraer ERJ135 took off from Trivandrum at 4 pm Saturday and lost contact with air traffic control at about 4:44 pm. Officials were able to get back in touch with her plane after some 12 to 14 minutes

There was a moment of absolute scare for the Mauritius air traffic control and external minister Sushma Swaraj's aircraft crew after her VVIP aircraft "Meghdoot" flying from Trivandrum to Mauritius, on her way to South Africa, went incommunicado for about 14 minutes on Saturday, reports said. However, authorities insist that it would not comprise a 'mid air scare'. The plane, Embraer ERJ135 named “Meghdoot”, had taken off from Trivandrum at 4 pm and lost contact at around 4.44 pm. After the Mauritius authorities could not establish connection with flight IFC-31, it declared ‘INCERFA’ alarm at 4.44 pm which is used at a time when it is not known whether the aircraft and its occupants are safe or not. Mauritius also contacted the Chennai air traffic control, which was the last flight information region to be in touch with ‘Meghdoot’. After a panic of 12-14 minutes, the pilots of the plane contacted Mauritius ATC at 4.58 pm. As per reports, an official informed that communication over oceanic area is often problematic due to erratic VHF signals. The 14-minute long uncertainty phase (INCERFA) is first of the three emergency phases under International Civil Aviation Organisation’s Chicago Convention. The second is “alert phase” (ALERFA) in which apprehension exists as to the safety of an aircraft and its occupants. The third is “distress phase” (DETRESFA) wherein there is a reasonable certainty that an aircraft and its occupants are threatened by grave and imminent danger and require immediate assistance. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj left on a five-day visit to South Africa on Saturday where she will meet top leadership of the country and attend meetings of BRICS and IBSA — the two major groups where India has been playing a major role. She will also attend events marking the 125th anniversary of the historic incident where a young Mahatma Gandhi was thrown out of a train compartment in Pietermaritzburg railway station, the Ministry of External Affairs said.

En route to Mauritius, Sushma Swaraj's plane went incommunicado for 14 minutes

Mauritius President Ameenah Gurib-Fakim resigned on Saturday after being embroiled in a scandal over her use of a credit card to buy luxury personal items, in an abrupt change of heart after vowing she would not stand down.

Gurib-Fakim, Africa&#39;s only female head of state, submitted her resignation in the &quot;national interest,&quot; her lawyer Yousouf Mohamed told reporters.

He said her resignation would take effect on March 23, a move that will bring down the curtain on a saga that has gripped the Indian Ocean archipelago for weeks.

Gurib-Fakim had vowed to fight the accusations that first appeared in local newspaper L&#39;Express -- that she used a bank card provided by an NGO to make personal purchases, including jewellery and luxury goods worth at least 25,000 euros.

Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth announced a week ago that Gurib-Fakim had agreed to resign, with a date set for her departure after last Monday&#39;s ceremony celebrating the Indian Ocean archipelago&#39;s 50 years of independence.

But on Wednesday, a statement from the presidency lashed out at &quot;weeks of attacks and false allegations&quot; and said Gurib-Fakim planned to clear her name and would not go.

It is not clear what prompted her about-turn, but her lawyer said Saturday she was &quot;relieved&quot; she had made the decision to resign after enduring a &quot;difficult&quot; time in recent weeks.

Links to Angolan billionaire

Gurib-Fakim, whose role is mostly ceremonial, is a scientist and biologist of international renown, and in 2015 joined the London-based Planet Earth Institute (PEI) to try to develop scientific capacity in Africa.

The presidency said that in May 2016, she received a credit card from PEI to pay for travel and logistical expenses linked to her role but inadvertently used it for unrelated personal expenses.

Gurib-Fakim said she immediately informed the PEI and paid back the amount, as well as all expenses paid by the PEI for her missions.

This was confirmed by the PEI, which said in a statement earlier this week that Gurib-Fakim &quot;thus never received gifts, favours, wages or expenses from the PEI, nor undue benefits or advantage&quot;.

An investigation by L&#39;Express detailed the purchase of a laptop in September 2016, clothes, shoes and jewellery in October, more jewellery in November and luxury clothing in December.

However it was not just the expenditure that provoked anger in Mauritius, but the president&#39;s association with Angolan billionaire Alvaro Sobrinho who helped found the PEI and is himself being investigated in Switzerland and Portugal for suspected fraud.

In 2017 he received permission to open an investment bank in Mauritius, prompting allegations of favouritism on his behalf.&nbsp;

Gurib-Fakim, under pressure from the opposition, resigned shortly afterwards from her role at the PEI.

Gurib-Fakim, Africa's only female head of state, submitted her resignation in the "national interest," her lawyer Yousouf Mohamed told reporters.

Mauritius President Ameenah Gurib-Fakim resigned on Saturday after being embroiled in a scandal over her use of a credit card to buy luxury personal items, in an abrupt change of heart after vowing she would not stand down. Gurib-Fakim, Africa's only female head of state, submitted her resignation in the "national interest," her lawyer Yousouf Mohamed told reporters. He said her resignation would take effect on March 23, a move that will bring down the curtain on a saga that has gripped the Indian Ocean archipelago for weeks. Gurib-Fakim had vowed to fight the accusations that first appeared in local newspaper L'Express -- that she used a bank card provided by an NGO to make personal purchases, including jewellery and luxury goods worth at least 25,000 euros. Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth announced a week ago that Gurib-Fakim had agreed to resign, with a date set for her departure after last Monday's ceremony celebrating the Indian Ocean archipelago's 50 years of independence. But on Wednesday, a statement from the presidency lashed out at "weeks of attacks and false allegations" and said Gurib-Fakim planned to clear her name and would not go. It is not clear what prompted her about-turn, but her lawyer said Saturday she was "relieved" she had made the decision to resign after enduring a "difficult" time in recent weeks. Links to Angolan billionaire Gurib-Fakim, whose role is mostly ceremonial, is a scientist and biologist of international renown, and in 2015 joined the London-based Planet Earth Institute (PEI) to try to develop scientific capacity in Africa. The presidency said that in May 2016, she received a credit card from PEI to pay for travel and logistical expenses linked to her role but inadvertently used it for unrelated personal expenses. Gurib-Fakim said she immediately informed the PEI and paid back the amount, as well as all expenses paid by the PEI for her missions. This was confirmed by the PEI, which said in a statement earlier this week that Gurib-Fakim "thus never received gifts, favours, wages or expenses from the PEI, nor undue benefits or advantage". An investigation by L'Express detailed the purchase of a laptop in September 2016, clothes, shoes and jewellery in October, more jewellery in November and luxury clothing in December. However it was not just the expenditure that provoked anger in Mauritius, but the president's association with Angolan billionaire Alvaro Sobrinho who helped found the PEI and is himself being investigated in Switzerland and Portugal for suspected fraud. In 2017 he received permission to open an investment bank in Mauritius, prompting allegations of favouritism on his behalf. Gurib-Fakim, under pressure from the opposition, resigned shortly afterwards from her role at the PEI.

Mauritius president resigns over credit card scandal

Mauritian President Ameenah Gurib-Fakim has refused to resign, vowing to fight allegations that saw her embroiled in a financial scandal, the presidency said in a statement Wednesday.

&quot;Her Excellency Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, having nothing to feel guilty about and able to provide corroborating evidence, rejects any idea of resigning,&quot; read the statement, issued less than a week after the prime minister announced she had agreed to step down.

Mauritian President Ameenah Gurib-Fakim has refused to resign, vowing to fight allegations that saw her embroiled in a financial scandal

Mauritian President Ameenah Gurib-Fakim has refused to resign, vowing to fight allegations that saw her embroiled in a financial scandal, the presidency said in a statement Wednesday. "Her Excellency Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, having nothing to feel guilty about and able to provide corroborating evidence, rejects any idea of resigning," read the statement, issued less than a week after the prime minister announced she had agreed to step down.

Mauritius president refuses to resign over financial scandal

Mauritius was the largest source of foreign investment in India, followed by the US and the UK, according to a census by the Reserve Bank.

Singapore and Japan were the next two sources of foreign direct investment (FDI), said the Census on Foreign Liabilities and Assets of Indian Direct Investment Companies 2016-17, released by RBI today.

Of the 18,667 companies that participated in the census, 17,020 had FDI/overseas direct investment in their balance sheets in March 2017, it said.

&quot;96 per cent of the responding companies were unlisted in March 2017 and most of them had received only inward FDI; unlisted companies had higher share of FDI equity capital vis-?-vis listed companies,&quot; it said.

Further, over 80 per cent of the 15,169 companies that reported inward FDI were subsidiaries of foreign companies (single foreign investor holding over 50 per cent of the total equity).

&quot;Mauritius was the largest source of FDI in India (21.8 per cent share at market value) followed by the USA, the UK, Singapore and Japan whereas Singapore (19.7 per cent) was the major ODI destination, followed by the Netherlands, Mauritius, and the USA,&quot; the census said.

The census yields comprehensive information on the market value of foreign liabilities and assets of Indian companies arising on account of FDI, ODI and other investments.

&quot;It is important to note that changes in outstanding asset/liabilities would be different from flows recorded in the balance of payments (BoP) during a year, as the former would also include valuation changes due to price and exchange rate movements,&quot; the central bank said.

The census data further said non-financial FDI companies had a much higher share in total foreign equity participation vis-a-vis financial FDI firms.

&quot;The ratio of market values of inward to outward direct investment, increased to 4.3 in March 2017 from 3.6 a year ago; equity participation accounted for 94 per cent and 79 per cent shares in inward and outward FDI, respectively,&quot; it said.

The manufacturing sector accounted for nearly half of the total FDI at market prices; information and communication services and financial and insurance activities were the other major sectors that attracted FDI.

Total sales, including exports, of foreign subsidiaries in India increased by 18.7 per cent during 2016-17 whereas their purchases, including imports, increased by 20.1 per cent.&nbsp;

Singapore and Japan were the next two sources of foreign direct investment (FDI), said the Census on Foreign Liabilities and Assets of Indian Direct Investment Companies 2016-17, released by RBI today

Mauritius was the largest source of foreign investment in India, followed by the US and the UK, according to a census by the Reserve Bank. Singapore and Japan were the next two sources of foreign direct investment (FDI), said the Census on Foreign Liabilities and Assets of Indian Direct Investment Companies 2016-17, released by RBI today. Of the 18,667 companies that participated in the census, 17,020 had FDI/overseas direct investment in their balance sheets in March 2017, it said. "96 per cent of the responding companies were unlisted in March 2017 and most of them had received only inward FDI; unlisted companies had higher share of FDI equity capital vis-?-vis listed companies," it said. Further, over 80 per cent of the 15,169 companies that reported inward FDI were subsidiaries of foreign companies (single foreign investor holding over 50 per cent of the total equity). "Mauritius was the largest source of FDI in India (21.8 per cent share at market value) followed by the USA, the UK, Singapore and Japan whereas Singapore (19.7 per cent) was the major ODI destination, followed by the Netherlands, Mauritius, and the USA," the census said. The census yields comprehensive information on the market value of foreign liabilities and assets of Indian companies arising on account of FDI, ODI and other investments. "It is important to note that changes in outstanding asset/liabilities would be different from flows recorded in the balance of payments (BoP) during a year, as the former would also include valuation changes due to price and exchange rate movements," the central bank said. The census data further said non-financial FDI companies had a much higher share in total foreign equity participation vis-a-vis financial FDI firms. "The ratio of market values of inward to outward direct investment, increased to 4.3 in March 2017 from 3.6 a year ago; equity participation accounted for 94 per cent and 79 per cent shares in inward and outward FDI, respectively," it said. The manufacturing sector accounted for nearly half of the total FDI at market prices; information and communication services and financial and insurance activities were the other major sectors that attracted FDI. Total sales, including exports, of foreign subsidiaries in India increased by 18.7 per cent during 2016-17 whereas their purchases, including imports, increased by 20.1 per cent.

Mauritius largest source of FDI in India, says RBI

The island-nation of Mauritius has started buying fuel from Saudi Arabia&#39;s state-owned oil company Saudi Aramco after a court ordered a ban on Indian fuel supplies because of a dispute between the country and a shipping firm.

For years, Indian oil refiner Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) has been the sole supplier to Mauritius of fuels such as gasoline and diesel. However, an Indian court has ordered a ship loaded with fuel from MRPL for the island to stay in port until the Mauritian government settles an outstanding $120 million payment to shipper Betamax over a contract dispute.&nbsp;

Mauritian Trade Minister Ashit Gungah told reporters on Thursday in the country&#39;s capital of Port St. Louis that Aramco will supply fuel.&nbsp;&quot;I can reassure the population and economic operators that we have sufficient stock of fuel&quot;, he said. &quot;A first tanker is expected in the country during the weekend and two more tankers will arrive next week. A fourth tanker is due by mid-December&quot;.&nbsp;He further said the supplies would be sufficient to meet demand until January 2018.

&quot;Other friendly countries have also accepted to help Mauritius&quot;, Gungah said.&nbsp;The fuel issues stem from a dispute between the State Trading Corporation of Mauritius (STCM), which buys fuel from MRPL, and Mauritian-based shipper Betamax.

STCM in 2009 signed a 15-year contract with Betamax to transport fuels from MRPL in the southern the Indian state of Karnataka to Port Louis. The contract was worth 8 billion Mauritius rupees ($238 million), according to local media reports.&nbsp;But in 2015 it terminated the contract with Betamax.

The company won a case in June against STCM for premature termination at the Singapore International Arbitration Centre that awarded Betamax more than $120 million.&nbsp;Betamax pressed the case at the Karnataka High Court after STCM did not make payment.

A Karnataka court order reviewed by Reuters directed port authorities at Mangalore &quot;to refrain from providing any clearance&quot; to the tanker Pacific Diamond from leaving India with 40,000 tonnes of unspecified petroleum product for delivery to STCM.&nbsp;The ship is to be held until the next hearing on the matter on Monday, the order said.&nbsp;

Betamax can enforce the arbitration award against STCM&#39;s assets in any country where the award is enforceable.&nbsp;MRPL exports about 1.2 million tonnes of refined fuels to Mauritius a year.&nbsp;MRPL will look at exporting the surplus fuel if the ban continues on supplies to Port Louis, a company official said on condition of anonymity.&nbsp;

An MRPL spokesman declined to comment on the matter while Saudi Aramco did not immediately reply to an e-mail.&nbsp;

After Indian court ordered an oil tanker loaded with fuel for Mauritius to stay in port until all outstanding has been settled, Mauritius buys fuel from Saudi Arabia

The island-nation of Mauritius has started buying fuel from Saudi Arabia's state-owned oil company Saudi Aramco after a court ordered a ban on Indian fuel supplies because of a dispute between the country and a shipping firm. For years, Indian oil refiner Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) has been the sole supplier to Mauritius of fuels such as gasoline and diesel. However, an Indian court has ordered a ship loaded with fuel from MRPL for the island to stay in port until the Mauritian government settles an outstanding $120 million payment to shipper Betamax over a contract dispute. Mauritian Trade Minister Ashit Gungah told reporters on Thursday in the country's capital of Port St. Louis that Aramco will supply fuel. "I can reassure the population and economic operators that we have sufficient stock of fuel", he said. "A first tanker is expected in the country during the weekend and two more tankers will arrive next week. A fourth tanker is due by mid-December". He further said the supplies would be sufficient to meet demand until January 2018. "Other friendly countries have also accepted to help Mauritius", Gungah said. The fuel issues stem from a dispute between the State Trading Corporation of Mauritius (STCM), which buys fuel from MRPL, and Mauritian-based shipper Betamax. STCM in 2009 signed a 15-year contract with Betamax to transport fuels from MRPL in the southern the Indian state of Karnataka to Port Louis. The contract was worth 8 billion Mauritius rupees ($238 million), according to local media reports. But in 2015 it terminated the contract with Betamax. The company won a case in June against STCM for premature termination at the Singapore International Arbitration Centre that awarded Betamax more than $120 million. Betamax pressed the case at the Karnataka High Court after STCM did not make payment. A Karnataka court order reviewed by Reuters directed port authorities at Mangalore "to refrain from providing any clearance" to the tanker Pacific Diamond from leaving India with 40,000 tonnes of unspecified petroleum product for delivery to STCM. The ship is to be held until the next hearing on the matter on Monday, the order said. Betamax can enforce the arbitration award against STCM's assets in any country where the award is enforceable. MRPL exports about 1.2 million tonnes of refined fuels to Mauritius a year. MRPL will look at exporting the surplus fuel if the ban continues on supplies to Port Louis, a company official said on condition of anonymity. An MRPL spokesman declined to comment on the matter while Saudi Aramco did not immediately reply to an e-mail.

Mauritius turns to Saudi fuel cargoes after court bans Indian supplies

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanth has said that Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card facility for Indian origin people in Mauritius will further strengthen bilateral ties and will give them chance to know the land of their ancestors closely.

&quot;OCI card facility to the people of Indian origin living in Mauritius will further strengthen ties between the two countries,&quot; the chief minister, who is on an official visit to Mauritius, said.

OCI is a scheme that was introduced in response to demands for dual citizenship by the Indian diaspora.

Addressing a function at Port Louis organised by the Indian High Commission yesterday, the chief minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s visit to Mauritius in 2015 brought a new high in relations between the two countries and hoped Modi&#39;s initiative will open new doors of development in Mauritius.

A senior state government official, quoting the chief minister, said the OCI card facility will help them know the land of their ancestors closely.

The chief minister, who also issued OCI cards to some of the NRIs on the occasion, highlighted in detail facilities like lifetime visa and exemption from taking work permit that the cardholders will be entitled to.

Referring to the &quot;discover your roots&quot; scheme of the UP tourism department, the chief minister said it can help anyone of Indian origin to contact the department for getting information about the village of their forefathers.

The tourism department will contact the district officials of the area and gather information for them, he said.

Highlighting the tourism potential of the state, the chief minister mentioned Ram Janmbhoomi and Krishna Janmbhoomi besides other historical monuments and places of natural beauty and stressed that Uttar Pradesh has places of interests for all types of tourists.

Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) is a scheme that was introduced in response to demands for dual citizenship by the Indian diaspora

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanth has said that Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card facility for Indian origin people in Mauritius will further strengthen bilateral ties and will give them chance to know the land of their ancestors closely. "OCI card facility to the people of Indian origin living in Mauritius will further strengthen ties between the two countries," the chief minister, who is on an official visit to Mauritius, said. OCI is a scheme that was introduced in response to demands for dual citizenship by the Indian diaspora. Addressing a function at Port Louis organised by the Indian High Commission yesterday, the chief minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Mauritius in 2015 brought a new high in relations between the two countries and hoped Modi's initiative will open new doors of development in Mauritius. A senior state government official, quoting the chief minister, said the OCI card facility will help them know the land of their ancestors closely. The chief minister, who also issued OCI cards to some of the NRIs on the occasion, highlighted in detail facilities like lifetime visa and exemption from taking work permit that the cardholders will be entitled to. Referring to the "discover your roots" scheme of the UP tourism department, the chief minister said it can help anyone of Indian origin to contact the department for getting information about the village of their forefathers. The tourism department will contact the district officials of the area and gather information for them, he said. Highlighting the tourism potential of the state, the chief minister mentioned Ram Janmbhoomi and Krishna Janmbhoomi besides other historical monuments and places of natural beauty and stressed that Uttar Pradesh has places of interests for all types of tourists.

Overseas Citizenship of India card facility to boost India's ties with Mauritius: Yogi Adityanath

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