Since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war, India has walked a tightrope, with New Delhi urging both sides to find a solution via dialogue. Praise for India's nuanced stance has now come from Chile's President Gabriel Boric, who is in New Delhi on a state visit. In a statement, Chile's President Boric said that Prime Minister Modi had a unique status as he can talk to every leader in the world, including Putin, Trump, and Zelensky. Watch in for more details!

'Modi in unique position to talk to leaders': Chile's President Gabriel Boric praises PM Modi

Nidhi Tewari, an Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, was appointed as Prime Minister Narendra Modi's private secretary, the Personnel Ministry announced in an order on Sunday.

Who is Nidhi Tewari, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s newly appointed private secretary

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut has triggered speculation about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s political future, claiming his recent visit to the RSS headquarters signals a possible retirement in September. However, BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis has dismissed the claims, stating there is no question of replacing PM Modi.

Sanjay Raut ignites PM Modi Successor debate

India: Sanjay Raut sparks debate on PM Modi’s possible retirement

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation in the 120th edition of his radio program, Mann Ki Baat. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ address, highlighted India’s unity in diversity as various states celebrate their traditional New Year and upcoming festivals, including Eid. He urged people to strengthen this spirit and extended his greetings to all.

PM Modi Mann ki Baat: PM Modi highlights unity amid festive celebrations in India

#Gravitas Next week, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu, following his official engagements in Sri Lanka. The visit will include a stop at the Sri Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy temple, coinciding with the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami.

Why PM Modi will travel to Rameswaram from Sri Lanka

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting Rameshwaram in southern India on April 5. During the visit, he will pay respects at theSri Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple on Ram Navami. Another highlight of the trip will be the Prime Minister’s inauguration of the new Pamban Bridge at India’s southernmost tip. This new 2.5-kilometer-long bridge replaces an older colonial-era bridge.

Indian PM to visit Sri Lanka from April 4-6; to inaugurate various infra projects

Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit India soon at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the two nations aim to strengthen their bilateral ties to an all-time high. &nbsp;Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov announced that the preparations are being made for the visit.&nbsp;
"Russian President V.V. Putin accepted the invitation of the head of the Indian government. The visit of the head of the Russian state to the Republic of India is being prepared," Lavrov said while addressing a video to the participants of the International Conference "Russia and India: Together towards a New Bilateral Agenda".&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/zelensky-declares-putin-will-die-soon-as-ukraine-continues-to-endure-russian-attacks-8894822">Zelensky declares Putin 'will die soon' as Ukraine continues to endure Russian attacks</a>
Lavrov noted that PM Modi made his first bilateral foreign visit to Russia after his re-election last year, saying, "Now it is our turn."
This would mark the first visit by Putin to India since the war in Ukraine broke out in February 2022.&nbsp;
The Russian leader's visit is expected to take forward Putin's "new economic roadmap" for 2030."
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-prayed-for-trump-after-assassination-attempt-says-top-us-envoy-steve-witkoff-8880576">Putin prayed for Trump after assassination attempt, says top US envoy Steve Witkoff</a>
He further said that strengthening the special privileged strategic partnership with India is one of the priorities of Russia's foreign policy.
"Today, Russia and India are developing equal cooperation based on sincere, mutual respect and consideration of each other's interests. It is difficult to overestimate the contribution of our leaders to this process," he said.&nbsp;
Moreover, India and Russia have agreed to double their bilateral trade to over $100 billion annually.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/zelensky-tells-eu-leaders-russia-still-striking-energy-infrastructure-8873943">Putin must stop 'unnecessary demands' that prolong war, Zelensky tells EU</a>
Earlier Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov confirmed that Russian President Putin's visit dates would be finalised in early 2025.&nbsp;
While, Indian PM Modi visited Russia twice in 2024, first in July and then in October for the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dont-expect-a-quick-peace-deal-with-ukraine-what-all-putin-said-in-closed-door-meeting-with-business-leaders-8877598">&lsquo;Don&rsquo;t expect a quick peace deal with Ukraine&rsquo;: What all Putin said in closed-door meeting with business leaders</a>&nbsp;
(With inputs from agencies)

World: This would mark first visit by Putin to India since Ukraine war broke out in 2022. Putin's visit is expected to take forward his "new economic roadmap" for 2030."

Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit India soon at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the two nations aim to strengthen their bilateral ties to an all-time high. Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov announced that the preparations are being made for the visit. "Russian President V.V. Putin accepted the invitation of the head of the Indian government. The visit of the head of the Russian state to the Republic of India is being prepared," Lavrov said while addressing a video to the participants of the International Conference "Russia and India: Together towards a New Bilateral Agenda". Also read: Zelensky declares Putin 'will die soon' as Ukraine continues to endure Russian attacks Lavrov noted that PM Modi made his first bilateral foreign visit to Russia after his re-election last year, saying, "Now it is our turn." This would mark the first visit by Putin to India since the war in Ukraine broke out in February 2022. The Russian leader's visit is expected to take forward Putin's "new economic roadmap" for 2030." Also read: Putin prayed for Trump after assassination attempt, says top US envoy Steve Witkoff He further said that strengthening the special privileged strategic partnership with India is one of the priorities of Russia's foreign policy. "Today, Russia and India are developing equal cooperation based on sincere, mutual respect and consideration of each other's interests. It is difficult to overestimate the contribution of our leaders to this process," he said. Moreover, India and Russia have agreed to double their bilateral trade to over $100 billion annually. Also read: Putin must stop 'unnecessary demands' that prolong war, Zelensky tells EU Earlier Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov confirmed that Russian President Putin's visit dates would be finalised in early 2025. While, Indian PM Modi visited Russia twice in 2024, first in July and then in October for the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan. Also read: ‘Don’t expect a quick peace deal with Ukraine’: What all Putin said in closed-door meeting with business leaders (With inputs from agencies)

'Now it's our turn': Preparations underway for Russian President Putin's visit to India, confirms Foreign Minister Lavrov

India's External Affairs Ministry on Tuesday (March 18) slammed Pakistan over its remarks about Jammu and Kashmir, saying that Pakistan&rsquo;s active sponsorship of cross-border terrorism is the biggest roadblock to peace and security.
MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that Pakistan should vacate Indian territory under its illegal and forcible occupation.&nbsp;
"We note that Pakistan has once again made some comments about the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The world knows that the real issue is Pakistan&rsquo;s active promotion and sponsorship of cross-border terrorism. In fact, this is the biggest roadblock to peace and security in the region," Jaiswal said while responding to the media queries on the comments made by Pakistan.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/modi-on-india-pakistan-rivalry-indian-pm-settles-biggest-cricket-debate-8860613">Modi on India-Pakistan rivalry: Indian PM settles biggest cricket debate</a>
"Instead of spreading lies, Pakistan should vacate Indian territory under its illegal and forcible occupation," the MEA added.&nbsp;
This comes after the Pakistan Foreign Office commented on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks made in the podcast with Lex Fridman.
PM Modi said that "every attempt to foster peace with Pakistan was met with hostility and betrayal&rdquo; and that he hoped that &ldquo;wisdom would prevail on the leadership in Islamabad to improve bilateral ties.&rdquo;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/new-zealand-christopher-luxon-cheekily-reminds-pm-modi-of-indias-test-series-loss-to-kiwis-at-home-watch-8863479">New Zealand PM Luxon cheekily reminds PM Modi of India&rsquo;s Test series loss to Kiwis at home &ndash; Watch</a>
When asked about the conflict between the two nations and whether he saw a path to peace and friendship, PM Modi answered by recalling the painful and bloody partition of India in 1947. He said that while India accepted the partition, Pakistan did not choose to peacefully coexist.&nbsp;
He further said Pakistan is &ldquo;an epicenter of turmoil, not just for India, but for the world&rdquo;.
After PM Modi's remarks, the Pakistan Foreign Office blasted them, calling the comments "misleading and one-sided".&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-convoy-attack-what-we-know-about-strike-on-balochistan-frontier-corps-8858699">Pakistan convoy attack: What we know about strike on Frontier Corps in Balochistan</a>
"They conveniently omit the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, which remains unresolved for the last seven decades despite India&rsquo;s solemn assurances to the United Nations, Pakistan, and the Kashmiri people," the Pakistan Foreign Office said.&nbsp;
They further alleged that India was involved in fomenting trouble on Pakistani soil and accused India of &ldquo;orchestrating targeted assassinations, subversion, and terrorism in foreign territories.&rdquo;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/kashmir-terrorist-encounter-one-terrorist-killed-in-ongoing-gunbattle-in-handwara-8861047">One terrorist killed in ongoing encounter in Jammu and Kashmir's Handwara</a>
(With inputs from agencies)

India news, pakistan, south asia: This comes after the Pakistan Foreign Office commented on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks in the podcast with Lex Fridman.

India's External Affairs Ministry on Tuesday (March 18) slammed Pakistan over its remarks about Jammu and Kashmir, saying that Pakistan’s active sponsorship of cross-border terrorism is the biggest roadblock to peace and security. MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that Pakistan should vacate Indian territory under its illegal and forcible occupation. "We note that Pakistan has once again made some comments about the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The world knows that the real issue is Pakistan’s active promotion and sponsorship of cross-border terrorism. In fact, this is the biggest roadblock to peace and security in the region," Jaiswal said while responding to the media queries on the comments made by Pakistan. Also read: Modi on India-Pakistan rivalry: Indian PM settles biggest cricket debate "Instead of spreading lies, Pakistan should vacate Indian territory under its illegal and forcible occupation," the MEA added. This comes after the Pakistan Foreign Office commented on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks made in the podcast with Lex Fridman. PM Modi said that "every attempt to foster peace with Pakistan was met with hostility and betrayal” and that he hoped that “wisdom would prevail on the leadership in Islamabad to improve bilateral ties.” Also read: New Zealand PM Luxon cheekily reminds PM Modi of India’s Test series loss to Kiwis at home – Watch When asked about the conflict between the two nations and whether he saw a path to peace and friendship, PM Modi answered by recalling the painful and bloody partition of India in 1947. He said that while India accepted the partition, Pakistan did not choose to peacefully coexist. He further said Pakistan is “an epicenter of turmoil, not just for India, but for the world”. After PM Modi's remarks, the Pakistan Foreign Office blasted them, calling the comments "misleading and one-sided". Also read: Pakistan convoy attack: What we know about strike on Frontier Corps in Balochistan "They conveniently omit the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, which remains unresolved for the last seven decades despite India’s solemn assurances to the United Nations, Pakistan, and the Kashmiri people," the Pakistan Foreign Office said. They further alleged that India was involved in fomenting trouble on Pakistani soil and accused India of “orchestrating targeted assassinations, subversion, and terrorism in foreign territories.” Also read: One terrorist killed in ongoing encounter in Jammu and Kashmir's Handwara (With inputs from agencies)

‘Instead of spreading lies, vacate our territory’: India blasts Pakistan for its remarks on Jammu and Kashmir

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met US Intelligence Chief Tulsi Gabbard in New Delhi on Monday and presented her with Ganga water from the Maha Kumbh. Watch in for more details!

Indian PM Modi gifts a vase containing 'Gangajal' to US intel chief

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard exchanged special gifts during their meeting on Monday (Mar 17), symbolising India&rsquo;s culture and heritage.
<h2>Leaders exchange special gifts</h2>
The two leaders exchanged presents, which are believed to be sacred.
PM Modi presented Gabbard with a vase containing the holy water from the sacred Ganga River from the recently concluded Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. It is believed that bathing in the sacred water of Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers, during the Maha Kumbh festival helps in cleansing sins and brings salvation.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/direct-dialogue-is-happening-at-very-top-intelligence-chief-tulsi-gabbard-on-us-india-tariff-issue-8861895">&lsquo;Direct dialogue is happening at the very top&rsquo;: US intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard on US-India tariff issue</a>
Gabbard also presented PM Modi with a thoughtful gift. She gifted him a Tulsi mala or Tulsi rosary, saying, &ldquo;This is a gift from me and my new position as Director. This is from Tulsi ji, a Tulsi mala.&rdquo;
The gifts symbolise the spiritual and cultural significance of India while also showing strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-meets-tulsi-gabbard-hours-after-india-raises-concerns-with-us-over-khalistani-terror-8862690">PM Modi meets Tulsi Gabbard hours after India raises concerns with US over Khalistani terror</a>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Delhi: US Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard met Prime Minister Narendra Modi today. The PM presented her with a vase containing Gangajal from the recently concluded Prayagraj Mahakumbh. <a href="https://t.co/jJ0OJbggNF">pic.twitter.com/jJ0OJbggNF</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1901626886234534374?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2025</a></blockquote>

<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>PM Modi and Gabbard meet</h2>
PM Modi and Gabbard discussed strategies to strengthen collaboration in addressing challenges like cybersecurity and terrorism. They also talked about shaping the vision for a robust India-US partnership.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-raises-concerns-with-us-over-khalistani-terror-and-sikhs-for-justice-in-meeting-with-tulsi-gabbard-8862222">India raises concerns over Khalistani terror, Sikhs For Justice in meeting with Tulsi Gabbard</a>
This meeting marked the second meeting between the Indian prime minister and the US intelligence chief. The two held talks in February during PM Modi&rsquo;s US visit to Washington. During his visit, PM Modi also met with US President Donald Trump and other key members of the cabinet.
Earlier in the day, Gabbard met with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and had talks focusing on enhancing the overall India-US strategic ties, particularly in areas of defence and information sharing.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/tulsi-gabbard-meets-indias-defence-minister-rajnath-singh-8861248">Tulsi Gabbard meets India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh</a>
The US intelligence chief also met National Security Adviser Ajit Doval on Sunday (Mar 16) to discuss the Indo-US relationship. She is currently on a two-and-a-half-day trip to India as part of a multi-nation visit and arrived in the national capital early Sunday (Mar 16).
(With inputs from agencies)

India news | Trending | PM Modi presented Gabbard with a vase containing the holy water from the sacred Ganga River from the recently concluded Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard exchanged special gifts during their meeting on Monday (Mar 17), symbolising India’s culture and heritage. Leaders exchange special gifts The two leaders exchanged presents, which are believed to be sacred. PM Modi presented Gabbard with a vase containing the holy water from the sacred Ganga River from the recently concluded Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. It is believed that bathing in the sacred water of Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers, during the Maha Kumbh festival helps in cleansing sins and brings salvation. Also read | ‘Direct dialogue is happening at the very top’: US intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard on US-India tariff issue Gabbard also presented PM Modi with a thoughtful gift. She gifted him a Tulsi mala or Tulsi rosary, saying, “This is a gift from me and my new position as Director. This is from Tulsi ji, a Tulsi mala.” The gifts symbolise the spiritual and cultural significance of India while also showing strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations. Also read | PM Modi meets Tulsi Gabbard hours after India raises concerns with US over Khalistani terror #WATCH | Delhi: US Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard met Prime Minister Narendra Modi today. The PM presented her with a vase containing Gangajal from the recently concluded Prayagraj Mahakumbh. pic.twitter.com/jJ0OJbggNF — ANI (@ANI) March 17, 2025 PM Modi and Gabbard meet PM Modi and Gabbard discussed strategies to strengthen collaboration in addressing challenges like cybersecurity and terrorism. They also talked about shaping the vision for a robust India-US partnership. Also read | India raises concerns over Khalistani terror, Sikhs For Justice in meeting with Tulsi Gabbard This meeting marked the second meeting between the Indian prime minister and the US intelligence chief. The two held talks in February during PM Modi’s US visit to Washington. During his visit, PM Modi also met with US President Donald Trump and other key members of the cabinet. Earlier in the day, Gabbard met with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and had talks focusing on enhancing the overall India-US strategic ties, particularly in areas of defence and information sharing. Also read | Tulsi Gabbard meets India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh The US intelligence chief also met National Security Adviser Ajit Doval on Sunday (Mar 16) to discuss the Indo-US relationship. She is currently on a two-and-a-half-day trip to India as part of a multi-nation visit and arrived in the national capital early Sunday (Mar 16). (With inputs from agencies)

Watch | PM Modi and US intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard exchange sacred gifts

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially joined Truth Social, a social media platform owned by US President Donald Trump on Monday (Mar 17).
"Delighted to be on Truth Social! Looking forward to interacting with all the passionate voices here and engaging in meaningful conversations in the times to come," PM Modi wrote in his first post on the platform.&nbsp;
This comes after Trump shared PM Modi's recent podcast interview with Lex Fridman on the platform.&nbsp;
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In another post on the platform, he thanked Trump saying, "Thank you my friend, President Trump. I&rsquo;ve covered a wide range of topics, including my life journey, India&rsquo;s civilisational outlook, global issues and more."
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<h2>'We connect so well': Trump shares Modi's podcast&nbsp;</h2>
Donald Trump shared PM Modi's podcast with the American podcaster Fridman on Truth Social where the Indian Prime minister praised the US president for his "America First" approach and talked about how he "connects so well" with him.
&ldquo;His reflection showed his America First spirit, just as I believe in nation first,&rdquo; Modi said.
&ldquo;I stand for India first and that&rsquo;s why we connect so well.&rdquo;
PM Modi also called Trump a "man of courage" for making independent decisions and for remaining "dedicated" towards his country.&nbsp;
"I have seen him during his first term and now as he sees a second. This time, he seems far more prepared. He has a clear roadmap with well-planned steps to achieve his goals. I also had the chance to meet his team, and I believe he has gathered a strong, capable group," Modi said in the podcast.&nbsp;
Fridman asked Modi, "You recently visited the United States and reinvigorated your friendship with Donald Trump. What do you like about Donald Trump as a friend, as a leader?"
"I'd like to share an event that stands out in my memory. Perhaps from that, you'll understand my perspective. At 'Howdy Modi', both President Trump and I were present, and the stadium was completely full. A large crowd at a political event in the US is quite remarkable," the Indian PM added.&nbsp;
(With inputs from agencies)
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India news: Donald Trump shared PM Modi's podcast with the American podcaster Fridman on Truth Social where the Indian prime minister praised the US president for his "America First" approach and talked about how he "connects so well" with him.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially joined Truth Social, a social media platform owned by US President Donald Trump on Monday (Mar 17). "Delighted to be on Truth Social! Looking forward to interacting with all the passionate voices here and engaging in meaningful conversations in the times to come," PM Modi wrote in his first post on the platform. This comes after Trump shared PM Modi's recent podcast interview with Lex Fridman on the platform. In another post on the platform, he thanked Trump saying, "Thank you my friend, President Trump. I’ve covered a wide range of topics, including my life journey, India’s civilisational outlook, global issues and more." 'We connect so well': Trump shares Modi's podcast Donald Trump shared PM Modi's podcast with the American podcaster Fridman on Truth Social where the Indian Prime minister praised the US president for his "America First" approach and talked about how he "connects so well" with him. “His reflection showed his America First spirit, just as I believe in nation first,” Modi said. “I stand for India first and that’s why we connect so well.” PM Modi also called Trump a "man of courage" for making independent decisions and for remaining "dedicated" towards his country. "I have seen him during his first term and now as he sees a second. This time, he seems far more prepared. He has a clear roadmap with well-planned steps to achieve his goals. I also had the chance to meet his team, and I believe he has gathered a strong, capable group," Modi said in the podcast. Fridman asked Modi, "You recently visited the United States and reinvigorated your friendship with Donald Trump. What do you like about Donald Trump as a friend, as a leader?" "I'd like to share an event that stands out in my memory. Perhaps from that, you'll understand my perspective. At 'Howdy Modi', both President Trump and I were present, and the stadium was completely full. A large crowd at a political event in the US is quite remarkable," the Indian PM added. (With inputs from agencies)

‘Looking forward to interacting with passionate voices’: PM Modi joins Trump’s Truth Social platform

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard on Monday (Mar 17) in New Delhi.
PM Modi gifted a vase containing holy water from the sacred Ganga River, collected during the recently concluded Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj.
The Maha Kumbh, which concluded on February 26 in Prayagraj, drew a record-breaking gathering of over 660 million devotees. This massive congregation earned the distinction of being the largest human gathering in recorded history.
Gabbard is currently on a two-and-a-half-day visit to India as part of a larger multinational tour.&nbsp;
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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Delhi: US Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard met Prime Minister Narendra Modi today. The PM presented her with a vase containing Gangajal from the recently concluded Prayagraj Mahakumbh. <a href="https://t.co/jJ0OJbggNF">pic.twitter.com/jJ0OJbggNF</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1901626886234534374?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2025</a></blockquote>
<h2>India raises concerns with US over Khalistani terror</h2>
India raised concerns with Washington about the anti-India activities conducted in the United States by the banned Khalistani organisation Sikhs for Justice (SFJ).
The issue was discussed during a meeting between Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Gabbard on Monday (Mar 17).
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Happy to have met the US Director of National Intelligence Ms <a href="https://twitter.com/TulsiGabbard?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TulsiGabbard</a> in New Delhi. We discussed a wide range of issues which include defence and information sharing, aiming to further deepen the India-US partnership. <a href="https://t.co/DTUgJIgeCN">pic.twitter.com/DTUgJIgeCN</a>
&mdash; Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) <a href="https://twitter.com/rajnathsingh/status/1901537653746516221?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2025</a></blockquote>
Expressing its concerns, New Delhi called on the US Director of National Intelligence to take strict action against the unlawful organisation.
<h2>Gabbard on US-India tariff issue</h2>
Gabbard said on Monday that a direct dialogue has been going on between India and the US at the very top over the tariffs issue.&nbsp;
The US Director of National Intelligence is currently on a two-and-a-half-day trip to India as part of a multi-nation visit and arrived in the national capital early Sunday (Mar 16).
Speaking to ANI on the sidelines of the think tank Observer Research Foundation&rsquo;s annual multilateral conference Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, Gabbard talked about the economic relationship between the two nations, saying there was an opportunity to strengthen them.
&ldquo;What I have heard from the Indian government officials that I&rsquo;ve spoken to over the last few days, there is an opportunity here to see,&rdquo; she said.
&ldquo;There is more potential for strengthening our economic relationship, and I&rsquo;m glad to see that they&rsquo;re looking at it in a more positive light than just one that is focused in a negative way when we look at tariffs,&rdquo; she added.
She further said, &ldquo;Prime Minister Modi is looking out for what is in the best interest of India&rsquo;s economy and the opportunities available to the people of India. Similarly, President Trump is doing the same for the United States, our economic interests, and the interests of the American people.&rdquo;
(With inputs from agencies)

India News, World : India raised concerns with Washington about the anti-India activities conducted in the United States by the banned Khalistani organisation Sikhs for Justice (SFJ).

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard on Monday (Mar 17) in New Delhi. PM Modi gifted a vase containing holy water from the sacred Ganga River, collected during the recently concluded Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. The Maha Kumbh, which concluded on February 26 in Prayagraj, drew a record-breaking gathering of over 660 million devotees. This massive congregation earned the distinction of being the largest human gathering in recorded history. Gabbard is currently on a two-and-a-half-day visit to India as part of a larger multinational tour. #WATCH | Delhi: US Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard met Prime Minister Narendra Modi today. The PM presented her with a vase containing Gangajal from the recently concluded Prayagraj Mahakumbh. pic.twitter.com/jJ0OJbggNF — ANI (@ANI) March 17, 2025 India raises concerns with US over Khalistani terror India raised concerns with Washington about the anti-India activities conducted in the United States by the banned Khalistani organisation Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). The issue was discussed during a meeting between Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Gabbard on Monday (Mar 17). Happy to have met the US Director of National Intelligence Ms @TulsiGabbard in New Delhi. We discussed a wide range of issues which include defence and information sharing, aiming to further deepen the India-US partnership. pic.twitter.com/DTUgJIgeCN — Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) March 17, 2025 Expressing its concerns, New Delhi called on the US Director of National Intelligence to take strict action against the unlawful organisation. Gabbard on US-India tariff issue Gabbard said on Monday that a direct dialogue has been going on between India and the US at the very top over the tariffs issue. The US Director of National Intelligence is currently on a two-and-a-half-day trip to India as part of a multi-nation visit and arrived in the national capital early Sunday (Mar 16). Speaking to ANI on the sidelines of the think tank Observer Research Foundation’s annual multilateral conference Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, Gabbard talked about the economic relationship between the two nations, saying there was an opportunity to strengthen them. “What I have heard from the Indian government officials that I’ve spoken to over the last few days, there is an opportunity here to see,” she said. “There is more potential for strengthening our economic relationship, and I’m glad to see that they’re looking at it in a more positive light than just one that is focused in a negative way when we look at tariffs,” she added. She further said, “Prime Minister Modi is looking out for what is in the best interest of India’s economy and the opportunities available to the people of India. Similarly, President Trump is doing the same for the United States, our economic interests, and the interests of the American people.” (With inputs from agencies)

PM Modi meets Tulsi Gabbard hours after India raises concerns with US over Khalistani terror

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and PM Christopher Luxon of New Zealand hold joint press meet at Hyderabad House in New Delhi.

India-New Zealand ties: India, New Zealand hold negotiations on free trade agreement

India Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/narendra-modi">Narendra Modi</a> has weighed in on the long-standing India-Pakistan cricket rivalry, citing India's dominant record in ICC tournaments as a clear indicator of superiority.
India triumphed over Pakistan in the recently-concluded 2025 ICC <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/champions-trophy">Champions Trophy</a> group stage, steered by a brilliant Virat Kohli century, before eventually securing the title. Over the years, Pakistan has only managed two victories against India in ICC events&mdash;the 2017 Champions Trophy final and the 2021 T20 World Cup group stage.
Speaking on the Lex Fridman podcast that aired on Sunday (Mar 16), PM Modi emphasised the power of sports in uniting nations while acknowledging that results often tell their own story.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/from-training-champions-to-driving-an-auto-gurumurthys-story-touches-million-hearts-8860519">From training champions to driving an auto: Gurumurthy&rsquo;s story touches million hearts</a>
"I think sports have the power to energise the entire world. They bring people together in ways beyond just the game itself. While I am no expert in cricket skills, those who are can determine the best team and the best players. But sometimes, results are enough to tell us who is better. Just a few days ago, India and Pakistan played, and the result spoke for itself," Modi said.
<h2>'Maradona was a true hero'</h2>
During his tenure, India has witnessed a significant push in sports development, with the country even aiming to host the 2036 Olympics. The prime minister was also asked about his pick for the greatest footballer of all time. He named two Argentine legends &mdash; <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/diego-maradona">Diego Maradona</a> and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/lionel-messi">Lionel Messi</a> &mdash; as the best in history.
"In the 1980s, one name stood out&mdash;Diego Maradona. For that generation, he was a true hero. If you ask today's generation, they'll immediately say Lionel Messi."
India&rsquo;s football scene is also gaining traction, with both the men&rsquo;s and women&rsquo;s teams making remarkable progress in recent years. &ldquo;It is absolutely true that many regions in India have a strong football culture. Our women&rsquo;s football team is performing really well, and our men&rsquo;s team is progressing really well," he added.
(With inputs from agencies)

Sports, Cricket: Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the power of sports in uniting nations while acknowledging that results often tell their own story

India Prime Minister Narendra Modi has weighed in on the long-standing India-Pakistan cricket rivalry, citing India's dominant record in ICC tournaments as a clear indicator of superiority. India triumphed over Pakistan in the recently-concluded 2025 ICC Champions Trophy group stage, steered by a brilliant Virat Kohli century, before eventually securing the title. Over the years, Pakistan has only managed two victories against India in ICC events—the 2017 Champions Trophy final and the 2021 T20 World Cup group stage. Speaking on the Lex Fridman podcast that aired on Sunday (Mar 16), PM Modi emphasised the power of sports in uniting nations while acknowledging that results often tell their own story. Also Read: From training champions to driving an auto: Gurumurthy’s story touches million hearts "I think sports have the power to energise the entire world. They bring people together in ways beyond just the game itself. While I am no expert in cricket skills, those who are can determine the best team and the best players. But sometimes, results are enough to tell us who is better. Just a few days ago, India and Pakistan played, and the result spoke for itself," Modi said. 'Maradona was a true hero' During his tenure, India has witnessed a significant push in sports development, with the country even aiming to host the 2036 Olympics. The prime minister was also asked about his pick for the greatest footballer of all time. He named two Argentine legends — Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi — as the best in history. "In the 1980s, one name stood out—Diego Maradona. For that generation, he was a true hero. If you ask today's generation, they'll immediately say Lionel Messi." India’s football scene is also gaining traction, with both the men’s and women’s teams making remarkable progress in recent years. “It is absolutely true that many regions in India have a strong football culture. Our women’s football team is performing really well, and our men’s team is progressing really well," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

Modi on India-Pakistan rivalry: Indian PM settles biggest cricket debate

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is in India on a five-day visit. This is the first visit by a New Zealand Prime Minister to India in nine years. The New Zealand Prime Minister is set to meet India's External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar. On the second day of his visit, the Prime Minister will visit the Gandhi Memorial at Raj Ghat, followed by meetings with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu. The bilateral meeting will see both countries exchange various memorandums at the Hyderabad House. Watch in for more details!

New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon arrives on 5-day India visit, to meet PM Modi

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi appeared on a three-hour &lsquo;iconic&rsquo; interview hosted by AI researcher and podcaster Lex Fridman.
During the podcast, PM Modi opened up about a number of topics, including Pakistan, the 2002 Gujarat riots, India-China relations, the bond with US President Donald Trump, the Ukraine war, and AI.
<h2>Key takeaways from interview</h2>
<h3>India and Pakistan</h3>
PM Modi discussed the India and Pakistan relationship. He also called out the neighbouring nation for state-sponsored terrorism and failed peace efforts.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ai-generated-holi-bash-pm-modi-donald-trump-musk-meloni-and-virat-kohli-come-together-for-a-festive-splash-8853720">'AI-Generated Holi Bash': PM Modi, Donald Trump, Musk, Meloni and Virat Kohli come together for a festive splash!</a>
When asked about the conflict between the two nations and whether he saw a path to peace and friendship, PM Modi answered by recalling the painful and bloody partition of India in 1947. He said that while India accepted the partition, Pakistan did not choose to peacefully coexist.
&ldquo;Time and again they decided to be at odds with India. They have waged a proxy war against us,&rdquo; he said.
He further said Pakistan is &ldquo;an epicenter of turmoil, not just for India, but for the world&rdquo;.
&ldquo;I believe even the people of Pakistan long for peace. Because even they must be weary of living in strife and unrest,&rdquo; he said.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/pm-modi-in-mauritius-a-special-relationship-blooms-8852982">PM Modi in Mauritius: A special relationship blooms</a>
<h3>2002 Gujarat riots</h3>
Speaking about Gujarat riots, PM Modi described how a &ldquo;tense and volatile&rdquo; situation surrounded India and the world around the time.
Modi said, &ldquo;The perception that these were the biggest riots ever is actually misinformation. If you review the data from before 2002, you'll see that Gujarat faced frequent riots, curfews were constantly being imposed somewhere.&rdquo; He added, &ldquo;Before 2002, Gujarat witnessed over 250 significant riots.&rdquo;
The prime minister said that those responsible for the riots have faced justice from the courts, adding that following the incident, there hasn&rsquo;t been a single major riot in the state.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-mauritius-cooperation-bolster-across-fronts-pm-modi-invites-mauritius-pm-to-india-8849842">India-Mauritius cooperation bolster across fronts, PM Modi invites Mauritius PM to India</a>
<h3>China and Xi Jinping</h3>
In the podcast, PM Modi talked about India&rsquo;s relationship with its neighbour China. He said, &ldquo;It is true that there have been ongoing border disputes between us. And in 2020, the incidents along the border created significant tensions between our countries,&rdquo; he added. &ldquo;However, after my recent meeting with President Xi, we have seen a return to normalcy at the border. We are now working to restore conditions to how they were before 2020.&rdquo;&nbsp;
&ldquo;Slowly but surely, trust, enthusiasm, and energy will return.&rdquo;
<h3>Ukraine conflict</h3>
Speaking on the Ukraine conflict, PM Modi said, &ldquo;The resolution will only come when both Ukraine and Russia come to the negotiating table. Ukraine may hold countless discussions with their allies, but it will bear no fruit. Discussions must include both parties instead.&rdquo;
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/first-indian-to-receive-honour-pm-modi-to-be-conferred-with-mauritius-highest-honour-8844060">'First Indian to receive honour': PM Modi to be conferred with Mauritius' highest honour</a>
<h3>PM Modi on AI</h3>
PM Modi stressed that AI development in the world would remain incomplete without India.
&ldquo;No matter what the world does with AI, it will remain incomplete without India,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I believe AI development is fundamentally a collaboration. Everyone involved supports one another through shared experiences and learning,&rdquo; he said.
&ldquo;India isn't just developing theoretical AI models, it is actively working on and bringing to life AI-driven applications for very specific use cases. Without genuine human intelligence, AI can't thrive or progress sustainably. And that real intelligence exists abundantly in India's youth and talent pool. And, I believe that's our greatest asset.&rdquo;
(With inputs from agencies)

India news | During the podcast, PM Modi opened up about a number of topics, including Pakistan, the 2002 Gujarat riots, India-China relations, the bond with US President Donald Trump, the Ukraine war, and AI.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi appeared on a three-hour ‘iconic’ interview hosted by AI researcher and podcaster Lex Fridman. During the podcast, PM Modi opened up about a number of topics, including Pakistan, the 2002 Gujarat riots, India-China relations, the bond with US President Donald Trump, the Ukraine war, and AI. Key takeaways from interview India and Pakistan PM Modi discussed the India and Pakistan relationship. He also called out the neighbouring nation for state-sponsored terrorism and failed peace efforts. Also read | 'AI-Generated Holi Bash': PM Modi, Donald Trump, Musk, Meloni and Virat Kohli come together for a festive splash! When asked about the conflict between the two nations and whether he saw a path to peace and friendship, PM Modi answered by recalling the painful and bloody partition of India in 1947. He said that while India accepted the partition, Pakistan did not choose to peacefully coexist. “Time and again they decided to be at odds with India. They have waged a proxy war against us,” he said. He further said Pakistan is “an epicenter of turmoil, not just for India, but for the world”. “I believe even the people of Pakistan long for peace. Because even they must be weary of living in strife and unrest,” he said. Also read | PM Modi in Mauritius: A special relationship blooms 2002 Gujarat riots Speaking about Gujarat riots, PM Modi described how a “tense and volatile” situation surrounded India and the world around the time. Modi said, “The perception that these were the biggest riots ever is actually misinformation. If you review the data from before 2002, you'll see that Gujarat faced frequent riots, curfews were constantly being imposed somewhere.” He added, “Before 2002, Gujarat witnessed over 250 significant riots.” The prime minister said that those responsible for the riots have faced justice from the courts, adding that following the incident, there hasn’t been a single major riot in the state. Also read | India-Mauritius cooperation bolster across fronts, PM Modi invites Mauritius PM to India China and Xi Jinping In the podcast, PM Modi talked about India’s relationship with its neighbour China. He said, “It is true that there have been ongoing border disputes between us. And in 2020, the incidents along the border created significant tensions between our countries,” he added. “However, after my recent meeting with President Xi, we have seen a return to normalcy at the border. We are now working to restore conditions to how they were before 2020.” “Slowly but surely, trust, enthusiasm, and energy will return.” Ukraine conflict Speaking on the Ukraine conflict, PM Modi said, “The resolution will only come when both Ukraine and Russia come to the negotiating table. Ukraine may hold countless discussions with their allies, but it will bear no fruit. Discussions must include both parties instead.” Also read | 'First Indian to receive honour': PM Modi to be conferred with Mauritius' highest honour PM Modi on AI PM Modi stressed that AI development in the world would remain incomplete without India. “No matter what the world does with AI, it will remain incomplete without India,” he said. “I believe AI development is fundamentally a collaboration. Everyone involved supports one another through shared experiences and learning,” he said. “India isn't just developing theoretical AI models, it is actively working on and bringing to life AI-driven applications for very specific use cases. Without genuine human intelligence, AI can't thrive or progress sustainably. And that real intelligence exists abundantly in India's youth and talent pool. And, I believe that's our greatest asset.” (With inputs from agencies)

‘Power, Democracy, War & Peace’: PM Modi talks about Pak, Gujarat riots in podcast with Lex Fridman | Key points

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is set to arrive in India for his first official visit. Over the five-day trip, he will meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu, aiming to strengthen bilateral ties. Watch this report for more updates!

New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon begins five-day visit to India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Mauritius saw the two countries sign partnerships across several fronts. These included exchanges to India via the Char Dham and Ramayana trail, cooperation on the development of curriculum for school education, a labour recruitment MOU, and the establishment of the Directorate of Science and Technology in Mauritius. Notably, PM Modi invited his counterpart to visit India.
During the two-day visit of PM Modi, political exchanges took place between India and Mauritius. According to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), PM Modi and Prime Minister of Mauritius Navinchandra Ramgoolam acknowledged that their bilateral relations enjoy a high degree of trust and mutual understanding at various levels, complemented by regular high-level exchanges and visits between the two countries.
Noting that the participation of Mauritius as a Guest country under India's G20 Presidency had deepened engagement across all sectors, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to continue these engagements.
Notably, both leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation on sharing best practices on parliamentary proceedings and agreed to intensify interactions between Parliamentarians of the two countries.
On the front of cultural ties and people to people exchanges, the leaders agreed to further deepen the close bonds of friendship through several initiatives such as providing support to the Mahatma Gandhi Institute in preserving the documented records of indentured workers from India, including through specialised training and institutional support through the National Archives of India, strengthening diaspora engagement through Know India Programme, Connecting Roots, Pravasi Bhartiya Divas, and scholarships and cooperate on research related to Girmitya's legacy, documentation of their contribution in strengthening people to people ties and promoting tourism and cultural exchanges through visits to Char Dham and Ramayana trail as well as ancient places of religious worship in India; and cooperating to expedite implementation of the MOU on labour recruitment to facilitate labour mobility between Mauritius and India.
As per the statement, the leaders noted that the Mauritius-India bilateral partnership in the domains of development, defence and maritime security, and people-to-people ties is a shining example of cooperation and sets a standard for bilateral partnership in the region.
Both leaders agreed to continue providing orientation and guidance towards elevating the relationship into an enhanced Strategic Partnership, which is mutually beneficial, caters to Mauritius's developmental needs, and contributes to shared objectives in the region.
PM Ramgoolam thanked PM Modi for his presence as the Guest of Honour at the National Day celebrations marking the 57th Anniversary of Mauritius's independence and the 33rd Anniversary of the Republic of Mauritius.
Upon the PM receiving the highest honour of Mauritius during his visit, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar wrote on X, "Privileged to witness the conferment of the highest honour of Mauritius, the 'Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean' on Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi. The award is a testament to PM Modi's leadership and commitment towards a prosperous Indian Ocean Region. Also, it underlines the special bonds of friendship between India and Mauritius."
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/first-indian-to-receive-honour-pm-modi-to-be-conferred-with-mauritius-highest-honour-8844060">'First Indian to receive honour': PM Modi to be conferred with Mauritius' highest honour</a>
PM Modi said that India will cooperate with Mauritius in building the new Parliament House there.
He also took to X to offer wishes to the people of Mauritius upon the celebrations of their National Day. "Warm wishes to FM @RitishRamful, the Government and the people of Mauritius on their National Day. Honoured to join PM @narendramodi for the National Day celebrations in Port Louis today. Confident that our historic and special relationship will continue to progress and prosper", the EAM said on X.
During the visit, the PMO noted that PM Modi invited PM Ramgoolam to pay an official visit to India as soon as possible.
On the front of collaborations in the sectors of space and climate change, PM Ramgoolam conveyed his appreciation to the Government of India for its support towards the joint development of a satellite for Mauritius and acknowledged that this cooperation is a testament to India's unwavering support to Mauritius on its developmental journey.
The PMO noted that in order to further deepen cooperation in the space domain, India and Mauritius agreed to work closely towards successful development and launch of the India-Mauritius satellite, including requisite training for Mauritian scientists and experts at the Indian Space Research Organisation, support implementation of weather and climate forecasting system at different temporal scales, Wave Rider Buoys and Multi-hazard Emergency System in Mauritius to help it build a resilient disaster preparedness and response system, renew the ongoing cooperation between ISRO and Mauritius Research and Innovation Council (MRIC) on ISRO Telemetry and Tracking Centre in Mauritius; and pursue the proposal of the Government of India for a development partnership project aimed at utilising an Earth Observation Application and an interactive computing framework to enable Mauritius to monitor extreme weather events and study climate impact effectively, which will be carried out by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), under the umbrella of the QUAD.
In the area of health and education, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to providing quality, affordable, and accessible health care benefits to the people of Mauritius. They appreciated the launch of the first Jan Aushadhi Kendras by India abroad in Mauritius and agreed to expand the initiative to various parts of Mauritius.
India and Mauritius agreed to work together in sharing expertise on drug de-addiction and rehabilitation, thereby addressing the challenges faced by Mauritius on account of an increase in drug-addiction and related social issues. They aimed to work closely with the National Drug Policy, Monitoring and Coordination Agency with expertise and support from the Narcotics Control Bureau of India.
Advancing the ongoing cooperation in the health domain, the two leaders further agreed to work closely towards the timely implementation of the Digital Health Office system in Mauritius, along with the deputation of a specialist from India, to aid the Government of Mauritius's endeavour to digitise health care services in Mauritius.
Underscoring the importance of cooperation in AYUSH, PM Ramgoolam appreciated the support extended by India for setting-up of an Ayush Centre of Excellence in Mauritius, he also thanked PM Modi for all the facilities extended by India to Mauritian patients undergoing treatment in India.
Notably, the leaders also welcomed ongoing discussions between the National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and the Ministry of Higher Education of Mauritius on sharing expertise in developing school education curricula and agreed that such cooperation initiatives will augur well for deepening bilateral ties and strengthening institutional linkages in the field of school education.
They also agreed to strengthen India-Mauritius science and tech cooperation, which includes the preparation of a roadmap for the implementation of the National Science and Technology Strategy and collaboration on the establishment of the Directorate of Science and Technology in Mauritius.
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

India news | Noting that the participation of Mauritius as a Guest country under India's G20 Presidency had deepened engagement across all sectors, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to continue these engagements.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Mauritius saw the two countries sign partnerships across several fronts. These included exchanges to India via the Char Dham and Ramayana trail, cooperation on the development of curriculum for school education, a labour recruitment MOU, and the establishment of the Directorate of Science and Technology in Mauritius. Notably, PM Modi invited his counterpart to visit India. During the two-day visit of PM Modi, political exchanges took place between India and Mauritius. According to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), PM Modi and Prime Minister of Mauritius Navinchandra Ramgoolam acknowledged that their bilateral relations enjoy a high degree of trust and mutual understanding at various levels, complemented by regular high-level exchanges and visits between the two countries. Noting that the participation of Mauritius as a Guest country under India's G20 Presidency had deepened engagement across all sectors, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to continue these engagements. Notably, both leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation on sharing best practices on parliamentary proceedings and agreed to intensify interactions between Parliamentarians of the two countries. On the front of cultural ties and people to people exchanges, the leaders agreed to further deepen the close bonds of friendship through several initiatives such as providing support to the Mahatma Gandhi Institute in preserving the documented records of indentured workers from India, including through specialised training and institutional support through the National Archives of India, strengthening diaspora engagement through Know India Programme, Connecting Roots, Pravasi Bhartiya Divas, and scholarships and cooperate on research related to Girmitya's legacy, documentation of their contribution in strengthening people to people ties and promoting tourism and cultural exchanges through visits to Char Dham and Ramayana trail as well as ancient places of religious worship in India; and cooperating to expedite implementation of the MOU on labour recruitment to facilitate labour mobility between Mauritius and India. As per the statement, the leaders noted that the Mauritius-India bilateral partnership in the domains of development, defence and maritime security, and people-to-people ties is a shining example of cooperation and sets a standard for bilateral partnership in the region. Both leaders agreed to continue providing orientation and guidance towards elevating the relationship into an enhanced Strategic Partnership, which is mutually beneficial, caters to Mauritius's developmental needs, and contributes to shared objectives in the region. PM Ramgoolam thanked PM Modi for his presence as the Guest of Honour at the National Day celebrations marking the 57th Anniversary of Mauritius's independence and the 33rd Anniversary of the Republic of Mauritius. Upon the PM receiving the highest honour of Mauritius during his visit, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar wrote on X, "Privileged to witness the conferment of the highest honour of Mauritius, the 'Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean' on Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi. The award is a testament to PM Modi's leadership and commitment towards a prosperous Indian Ocean Region. Also, it underlines the special bonds of friendship between India and Mauritius." Also read | 'First Indian to receive honour': PM Modi to be conferred with Mauritius' highest honour PM Modi said that India will cooperate with Mauritius in building the new Parliament House there. He also took to X to offer wishes to the people of Mauritius upon the celebrations of their National Day. "Warm wishes to FM @RitishRamful, the Government and the people of Mauritius on their National Day. Honoured to join PM @narendramodi for the National Day celebrations in Port Louis today. Confident that our historic and special relationship will continue to progress and prosper", the EAM said on X. During the visit, the PMO noted that PM Modi invited PM Ramgoolam to pay an official visit to India as soon as possible. On the front of collaborations in the sectors of space and climate change, PM Ramgoolam conveyed his appreciation to the Government of India for its support towards the joint development of a satellite for Mauritius and acknowledged that this cooperation is a testament to India's unwavering support to Mauritius on its developmental journey. The PMO noted that in order to further deepen cooperation in the space domain, India and Mauritius agreed to work closely towards successful development and launch of the India-Mauritius satellite, including requisite training for Mauritian scientists and experts at the Indian Space Research Organisation, support implementation of weather and climate forecasting system at different temporal scales, Wave Rider Buoys and Multi-hazard Emergency System in Mauritius to help it build a resilient disaster preparedness and response system, renew the ongoing cooperation between ISRO and Mauritius Research and Innovation Council (MRIC) on ISRO Telemetry and Tracking Centre in Mauritius; and pursue the proposal of the Government of India for a development partnership project aimed at utilising an Earth Observation Application and an interactive computing framework to enable Mauritius to monitor extreme weather events and study climate impact effectively, which will be carried out by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), under the umbrella of the QUAD. In the area of health and education, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to providing quality, affordable, and accessible health care benefits to the people of Mauritius. They appreciated the launch of the first Jan Aushadhi Kendras by India abroad in Mauritius and agreed to expand the initiative to various parts of Mauritius. India and Mauritius agreed to work together in sharing expertise on drug de-addiction and rehabilitation, thereby addressing the challenges faced by Mauritius on account of an increase in drug-addiction and related social issues. They aimed to work closely with the National Drug Policy, Monitoring and Coordination Agency with expertise and support from the Narcotics Control Bureau of India. Advancing the ongoing cooperation in the health domain, the two leaders further agreed to work closely towards the timely implementation of the Digital Health Office system in Mauritius, along with the deputation of a specialist from India, to aid the Government of Mauritius's endeavour to digitise health care services in Mauritius. Underscoring the importance of cooperation in AYUSH, PM Ramgoolam appreciated the support extended by India for setting-up of an Ayush Centre of Excellence in Mauritius, he also thanked PM Modi for all the facilities extended by India to Mauritian patients undergoing treatment in India. Notably, the leaders also welcomed ongoing discussions between the National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and the Ministry of Higher Education of Mauritius on sharing expertise in developing school education curricula and agreed that such cooperation initiatives will augur well for deepening bilateral ties and strengthening institutional linkages in the field of school education. They also agreed to strengthen India-Mauritius science and tech cooperation, which includes the preparation of a roadmap for the implementation of the National Science and Technology Strategy and collaboration on the establishment of the Directorate of Science and Technology in Mauritius. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

India-Mauritius cooperation bolster across fronts, PM Modi invites Mauritius PM to India

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a grand vision for security and growth for the Global South during his Mauritius visit. Watch this report for more details!

PM Modi in Mauritius: PM Modi announces India's 'Mahasagar Vision' For global south

US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard on Monday said she will visit India as part a &ldquo;multi-nation&rdquo; trip to the Indo-Pacific she is undertaking with the aim of building strong relationships and open lines of communication to achieve President Donald Trump's objectives of peace and freedom.
&ldquo;I am #WheelsUp on a multi-nation trip to the Indo-Pacific, a region I know very well having grown up as a child of the Pacific. I'll be going to Japan, Thailand, and India, with a brief stop in France enroute back to DC,&rdquo; Gabbard said in a post on X, with a photograph of her boarding an airplane.
&ldquo;Building strong relationships, understanding, and open lines of communication are vital to achieving President Trump's objectives of peace, freedom and prosperity,&rdquo; she said.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tulsi-gabbard-revokes-security-clearances-of-top-biden-administration-officials-8842468">Tulsi Gabbard revokes security clearances of top Biden administration officials</a>
Her first stop will be Honolulu where she will visit "IC partners and INDOPACOM" (US Indo-Pacific Command) leaders, and &ldquo;our troops engaging in training.&rdquo; This will be Gabbard's first trip to India after taking over as the eighth Senate-confirmed and first female combat veteran Director of National Intelligence (DNI) in the second Trump administration.
Gabbard had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier in February during his visit to Washington DC for the bilateral meeting with Trump in the White House. She was the first US official to meet Modi at Blair House on February 12, shortly after the Indian leader arrived in the US capital.
&ldquo;Met USA's Director of National Intelligence, @TulsiGabbard in Washington DC. Congratulated her on her confirmation. Discussed various aspects of the India-USA friendship, of which she's always been a strong votary,&rdquo; Modi had said in a post on X.
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

India news | World | Gabbard had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier in February during his visit to Washington DC for the bilateral meeting with Trump in the White House.

US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard on Monday said she will visit India as part a “multi-nation” trip to the Indo-Pacific she is undertaking with the aim of building strong relationships and open lines of communication to achieve President Donald Trump's objectives of peace and freedom. “I am #WheelsUp on a multi-nation trip to the Indo-Pacific, a region I know very well having grown up as a child of the Pacific. I'll be going to Japan, Thailand, and India, with a brief stop in France enroute back to DC,” Gabbard said in a post on X, with a photograph of her boarding an airplane. “Building strong relationships, understanding, and open lines of communication are vital to achieving President Trump's objectives of peace, freedom and prosperity,” she said. Also read | Tulsi Gabbard revokes security clearances of top Biden administration officials Her first stop will be Honolulu where she will visit "IC partners and INDOPACOM" (US Indo-Pacific Command) leaders, and “our troops engaging in training.” This will be Gabbard's first trip to India after taking over as the eighth Senate-confirmed and first female combat veteran Director of National Intelligence (DNI) in the second Trump administration. Gabbard had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier in February during his visit to Washington DC for the bilateral meeting with Trump in the White House. She was the first US official to meet Modi at Blair House on February 12, shortly after the Indian leader arrived in the US capital. “Met USA's Director of National Intelligence, @TulsiGabbard in Washington DC. Congratulated her on her confirmation. Discussed various aspects of the India-USA friendship, of which she's always been a strong votary,” Modi had said in a post on X. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

US National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard to visit India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be conferred with Mauritius's highest honour, The Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean, becoming the first Indian to receive this award.&nbsp;
This will also mark the 21st international award conferred upon PM Modi by a foreign nation.
Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam on Tuesday announced that PM Modi will be conferred with the honour.
Indian PM is on an official visit to Mauritius at the invitation of PM Ramgaloom.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indian-pm-modi-greeted-with-bhojpuri-folk-song-in-mauritius-8842905">Indian PM Modi greeted with Bhojpuri folk song in Mauritius</a>
PM Ramgaloom said that Modi is the fifth foreign national to receive this distinguished recognition.
"The Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean' is very fitting for you, Prime Minister," he said during the event.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explainer-enhanced-maritime-cooperation-to-strengthen-india-mauritius-ties-8843791">Explainer: Enhanced maritime cooperation to strengthen India-Mauritius ties</a>
<h2>OCI cards to Mauritian PM, his wife</h2>
Earlier in the day, PM Modi handed over Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards to Mauritius Prime Minister Ramgoolam and his spouse Veena Ramgoolam.&nbsp;
This marks India's commitment to its diaspora and bilateral relations with the country.&nbsp;
The cards were handed over before the beginning of the community event, attended by over 3,500 people, including members of the Mauritius cabinet.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lalit-modi-denies-false-extradition-claims-after-vanuatus-pm-cancels-his-passport-8843157">Lalit Modi denies &lsquo;false&rsquo; extradition claims after Vanuatu&rsquo;s PM cancels his passport</a>
&ldquo;It is a pleasant surprise for me and my wife,&rdquo; Ramgoolam said after the announcement.
PM Modi also presented them with holy Sangam water from MahaKumbh in a Brass and Copper pot, superfood Makhana and a Banarasi Saree in a Sadeli box for the first lady of Mauritius.&nbsp;
Tomorrow, PM Modi is expected to sign at least eight Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in areas including community development projects, maritime security and culture.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ahead-of-pm-modis-visit-mauritius-fm-ramful-says-ties-with-india-special-and-unique-8840400" rel="dofollow">Ahead of PM Modi&rsquo;s visit, Mauritius FM Ramful says ties with India &lsquo;special and unique&rsquo;</a>
(With inputs from agencies)
&nbsp;

India news, World: Mauritian PM announced that PM Modi will be conferred with the honour as the Indian PM is on an official visit to Mauritius at the invitation of PM Ramgaloom.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be conferred with Mauritius's highest honour, The Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean, becoming the first Indian to receive this award. This will also mark the 21st international award conferred upon PM Modi by a foreign nation. Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam on Tuesday announced that PM Modi will be conferred with the honour. Indian PM is on an official visit to Mauritius at the invitation of PM Ramgaloom. Also read: Indian PM Modi greeted with Bhojpuri folk song in Mauritius PM Ramgaloom said that Modi is the fifth foreign national to receive this distinguished recognition. "The Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean' is very fitting for you, Prime Minister," he said during the event. Also read: Explainer: Enhanced maritime cooperation to strengthen India-Mauritius ties OCI cards to Mauritian PM, his wife Earlier in the day, PM Modi handed over Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards to Mauritius Prime Minister Ramgoolam and his spouse Veena Ramgoolam. This marks India's commitment to its diaspora and bilateral relations with the country. The cards were handed over before the beginning of the community event, attended by over 3,500 people, including members of the Mauritius cabinet. Also read: Lalit Modi denies ‘false’ extradition claims after Vanuatu’s PM cancels his passport “It is a pleasant surprise for me and my wife,” Ramgoolam said after the announcement. PM Modi also presented them with holy Sangam water from MahaKumbh in a Brass and Copper pot, superfood Makhana and a Banarasi Saree in a Sadeli box for the first lady of Mauritius. Tomorrow, PM Modi is expected to sign at least eight Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in areas including community development projects, maritime security and culture. Also read: Ahead of PM Modi’s visit, Mauritius FM Ramful says ties with India ‘special and unique’ (With inputs from agencies)

'First Indian to receive honour': PM Modi to  be conferred with Mauritius' highest honour

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a traditional Bihari welcome in Mauritius with a “geet gawai” programme hosted in his honour. Watch this report for more details!

PM Modi in Mauritius: PM Modi welcomed with Bihar's traditional 'Geet Gawai'

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Mauritius for a two-day state visit, where he was accorded a ceremonial guard of honour upon his arrival. Mauritian PM Navin Ramgoolam was also present to welcome him.

PM Modi in Mauritius: PM Modi to inaugurate over 20 India-funded projects in Mauritius

PM Modi In Mauritius: PM Modi to be chief guest at national day celebrations on March 12

PM Narendra Modi receives guard of honour in Mauritius

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Mauritius for a two-day state visit on March 11 and 12, following an invitation from his Mauritian counterpart, Navinchandra Ramgoolam. The visit coincides with the island nation’s national day celebrations, where Modi is the guest of honor.

PM Modi arrives in Mauritius for two-day visit, to attend national day events

PM Modi embarks on two-day state visit to Mauritius

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi&rsquo;s visit to Mauritius, the country&rsquo;s foreign minister, Dhananjay Ritish Ramful, has termed the ties between the two countries &ldquo;special and very unique&rdquo;. The Indian PM will be on a two-day state visit to Mauritius on the 11th and 12th of March, during which he will be the chief guest at the country&rsquo;s Independence Day as well. Speaking to WION&rsquo;s Sidhant Sibal, FM said, &ldquo;We have always shared very exceptional cultural exchanges, cultural heritage, historical bonds, and people-to-people ties. They underpin India-Mauritius special ties.&rdquo;
The visit by the Indian leader to Mauritius, the 2nd in a decade, will see the signing of a number of MoUs and big ticket announcements. FM Ramful pointed out that both countries will sign a MoU on White Shipping that will help in growing cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region.
Asked if the Chagos Island issue will be discussed during the visit, the FM thanked India&rsquo;s support and said, &ldquo;I&rsquo;m very sure that India, as always, will be very supportive and give assistance to Mauritius, so that you know that we can reach a deal that will restore, on one hand, our sovereignty over Chagos and also secure the base on the Diego Garcia.&rdquo;
Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-donald-trump-miffed-with-uk-after-king-charles-welcomes-zelensky-trudeau-to-his-home-8837379" rel="noopener" target="_blank">&lsquo;Makes him feel less special&rsquo;: Trump miffed with UK after King Charles welcomes Zelensky, Trudeau to his home</a>
In 2024, the UK and Mauritius announced an agreement under which UK will cede sovereignty of the entire Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius, marking the end of its control over its last African colony. But under that agreement, the UK secured a 99-year lease to retain control of Diego Garcia, ensuring the continued operation of the joint UK-US military base. India and the US back then welcomed it.&nbsp;
Sidhant Sibal: How do you see the visit of the Indian Prime Minister to your country? Dhananjay Ritish Ramful: This is a great honor for Mauritius to have the visit of PM Modi. In fact, this is his second visit. He was here in 2015 for the National celebrations and he has very humbly accepted our invitation from our prime minister to come and be our chief guest for the National Day.
Sidhant Sibal: What kind of deliverables we are expecting, we know ahead of the visit that the Indian MEA said that there are MoUs which will be signed, there are projects which will be inaugurated. So if you can perhaps give an overview of what one can expect? Dhananjay Ritish Ramful: In fact, this will be an opportunity, in the context of the visit of the Prime Minister, for us to take the opportunity and reinforce further this special and very unique relationship that we both share. So in that context, there is going to be a number of MoUs that are going to be signed. You know, India has always been a very important development partner of Mauritius in terms of infrastructure projects, etc. So we are looking to sign a number of MoUs. I can just list a few of those MoUs. There will be an MoU between the Ministry of Industry, small and medium enterprises, with the Ministry of micro small and medium enterprises of India on capacity building in relation to sport and medium enterprises. There&rsquo;s also going to be an MoU between the ministry of public service and administrative reforms of Mauritius and the National Centre for Good Governance, Department of Administrative Reforms, and Public Grievances of India on the training of about 500 public officers. There is also going to be an MoU between the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here in Mauritius on the training of diplomats. More importantly, there is going to be a MoU between the Financial Crime Commission of Mauritius and the Directorate of Enforcement of India, as well as the Central Bureau of Investigation, on information sharing in relation to corruption matters and anti-money laundering issues. There is going to be a MoU on line of credit for a water pipeline replacement project in Mauritius. As far as maritime security is concerned, there is going to be a technical agreement on sharing of white shipping information between the Indian Navy and the Mauritian authorities here. So I have listed a few of those MoUs that we are looking forward to signing between the two countries.
Sidhant Sibal: So now talking about the cultural connect, we believe that the Prime Minister will be going to Ganga Talao as well, and there&rsquo;s a strong cultural connect between the two countries. So if you can perhaps talk about that cultural connection. And what can we expect during this visit in terms of that cultural connection? Dhananjay Ritish Ramful: Well, we have always shared very exceptional cultural exchanges, cultural heritage, historical bonds, and people-to-people ties. They underpin India-Mauritius special ties. There are a few commitments from the Indian side to support it. We have the Mahatma Gandhi Institute here in Mauritius, which was set up by India. So there is support for the preservation of documented records on indentured workers from India. We are also looking forward to strengthening the diaspora engagement through the new India program. We are also looking forward to promoting tourism and cultural exchanges through visits to Char Dam and Ramayana trail, as well as ancient places of religious worship in India. So all these exchanges that we are looking forward to try and strengthen further this cultural bond that we share.
Sidhant Sibal: So my last question to you is on what will be the focus in terms of the regional issues, the stability of the Indian Ocean region, and briefly, also when it comes to the Chagos conversations, will this also figure out when the leaders sit? Dhananjay Ritish Ramful: We already have arrangements with the Indian government on maritime security in the region. You know, the Indian Ocean is a very important place of strategic importance, and given the geopolitical climate right. Don&rsquo;t forget when PM Modi came to Mauritius in 2015, he initiated India&rsquo;s vision Sagar. India and Mauritius are members of the Indian Ocean Rim Association. We have also signed the Colombo Security Conclave. All these are structured dialogues are there for us to make sure that the Indian Ocean is an open, safe and secure place, because, as I&rsquo;ve said, the Indian Ocean is a very important trade route for both countries, and we have to ensure that this part of the of the world is secure, because we share common interests, both India and Mauritius. So this is why, with a view to enhance further that cooperation, we are signing this MoU on sharing of information with regards to white shipping. As far as Chagos is concerned, this has been a very long struggle by Mauritius, and in all the various steps towards us restoring our sovereignty over the Chagos archipelago, India has always been very supportive, and there is currently discussions going on between UK and Mauritius on trying to reach deal. I&rsquo;m very sure that India, as always, will be very supportive and give assistance to Mauritius, so that you know that we can reach a deal that will restore, on one hand, our sovereignty over Chagos and also secure the base on the Diego Garcia.
Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-man-who-climbed-big-ben-tower-with-palestinian-flag-comes-down-after-16-hours-8836020" rel="noopener" target="_blank">WATCH: Man who climbed Big Ben tower with Palestinian flag comes down after 16 hours</a>

World | India News: The Indian PM will be on a two-day state visit to Mauritius on the 11th and 12th of March, during which he will be the chief guest at the country’s Independence Day as well.

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Mauritius, the country’s foreign minister, Dhananjay Ritish Ramful, has termed the ties between the two countries “special and very unique”. The Indian PM will be on a two-day state visit to Mauritius on the 11th and 12th of March, during which he will be the chief guest at the country’s Independence Day as well. Speaking to WION’s Sidhant Sibal, FM said, “We have always shared very exceptional cultural exchanges, cultural heritage, historical bonds, and people-to-people ties. They underpin India-Mauritius special ties.” The visit by the Indian leader to Mauritius, the 2nd in a decade, will see the signing of a number of MoUs and big ticket announcements. FM Ramful pointed out that both countries will sign a MoU on White Shipping that will help in growing cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region. Asked if the Chagos Island issue will be discussed during the visit, the FM thanked India’s support and said, “I’m very sure that India, as always, will be very supportive and give assistance to Mauritius, so that you know that we can reach a deal that will restore, on one hand, our sovereignty over Chagos and also secure the base on the Diego Garcia.” Also read: ‘Makes him feel less special’: Trump miffed with UK after King Charles welcomes Zelensky, Trudeau to his home In 2024, the UK and Mauritius announced an agreement under which UK will cede sovereignty of the entire Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius, marking the end of its control over its last African colony. But under that agreement, the UK secured a 99-year lease to retain control of Diego Garcia, ensuring the continued operation of the joint UK-US military base. India and the US back then welcomed it. Sidhant Sibal: How do you see the visit of the Indian Prime Minister to your country? Dhananjay Ritish Ramful: This is a great honor for Mauritius to have the visit of PM Modi. In fact, this is his second visit. He was here in 2015 for the National celebrations and he has very humbly accepted our invitation from our prime minister to come and be our chief guest for the National Day. Sidhant Sibal: What kind of deliverables we are expecting, we know ahead of the visit that the Indian MEA said that there are MoUs which will be signed, there are projects which will be inaugurated. So if you can perhaps give an overview of what one can expect? Dhananjay Ritish Ramful: In fact, this will be an opportunity, in the context of the visit of the Prime Minister, for us to take the opportunity and reinforce further this special and very unique relationship that we both share. So in that context, there is going to be a number of MoUs that are going to be signed. You know, India has always been a very important development partner of Mauritius in terms of infrastructure projects, etc. So we are looking to sign a number of MoUs. I can just list a few of those MoUs. There will be an MoU between the Ministry of Industry, small and medium enterprises, with the Ministry of micro small and medium enterprises of India on capacity building in relation to sport and medium enterprises. There’s also going to be an MoU between the ministry of public service and administrative reforms of Mauritius and the National Centre for Good Governance, Department of Administrative Reforms, and Public Grievances of India on the training of about 500 public officers. There is also going to be an MoU between the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here in Mauritius on the training of diplomats. More importantly, there is going to be a MoU between the Financial Crime Commission of Mauritius and the Directorate of Enforcement of India, as well as the Central Bureau of Investigation, on information sharing in relation to corruption matters and anti-money laundering issues. There is going to be a MoU on line of credit for a water pipeline replacement project in Mauritius. As far as maritime security is concerned, there is going to be a technical agreement on sharing of white shipping information between the Indian Navy and the Mauritian authorities here. So I have listed a few of those MoUs that we are looking forward to signing between the two countries. Sidhant Sibal: So now talking about the cultural connect, we believe that the Prime Minister will be going to Ganga Talao as well, and there’s a strong cultural connect between the two countries. So if you can perhaps talk about that cultural connection. And what can we expect during this visit in terms of that cultural connection? Dhananjay Ritish Ramful: Well, we have always shared very exceptional cultural exchanges, cultural heritage, historical bonds, and people-to-people ties. They underpin India-Mauritius special ties. There are a few commitments from the Indian side to support it. We have the Mahatma Gandhi Institute here in Mauritius, which was set up by India. So there is support for the preservation of documented records on indentured workers from India. We are also looking forward to strengthening the diaspora engagement through the new India program. We are also looking forward to promoting tourism and cultural exchanges through visits to Char Dam and Ramayana trail, as well as ancient places of religious worship in India. So all these exchanges that we are looking forward to try and strengthen further this cultural bond that we share. Sidhant Sibal: So my last question to you is on what will be the focus in terms of the regional issues, the stability of the Indian Ocean region, and briefly, also when it comes to the Chagos conversations, will this also figure out when the leaders sit? Dhananjay Ritish Ramful: We already have arrangements with the Indian government on maritime security in the region. You know, the Indian Ocean is a very important place of strategic importance, and given the geopolitical climate right. Don’t forget when PM Modi came to Mauritius in 2015, he initiated India’s vision Sagar. India and Mauritius are members of the Indian Ocean Rim Association. We have also signed the Colombo Security Conclave. All these are structured dialogues are there for us to make sure that the Indian Ocean is an open, safe and secure place, because, as I’ve said, the Indian Ocean is a very important trade route for both countries, and we have to ensure that this part of the of the world is secure, because we share common interests, both India and Mauritius. So this is why, with a view to enhance further that cooperation, we are signing this MoU on sharing of information with regards to white shipping. As far as Chagos is concerned, this has been a very long struggle by Mauritius, and in all the various steps towards us restoring our sovereignty over the Chagos archipelago, India has always been very supportive, and there is currently discussions going on between UK and Mauritius on trying to reach deal. I’m very sure that India, as always, will be very supportive and give assistance to Mauritius, so that you know that we can reach a deal that will restore, on one hand, our sovereignty over Chagos and also secure the base on the Diego Garcia. Also read | WATCH: Man who climbed Big Ben tower with Palestinian flag comes down after 16 hours

Ahead of PM Modi’s visit, Mauritius FM Ramful says ties with India ‘special and unique’

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Sri Lanka on April 5, following his trip to Thailand for the Bimstec summit on April 4. Watch this report for more details!

PM Modi to visit Sri Lanka after attending Bimstec summit

India's PM Narendra Modi recently inaugurated the Vantara Wildlife Rescue Centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat. PM Modi was seen spending time with big cats including Asiatic lions and tigers. Another highlight of his visit was when he visited a rescued seal.

Vanata Sanctuary: From big cats to seals- a haven for rescued wildlife

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