By IANS,
Port Louis: Enhancing economic cooperation and trade with Mauritius was high on the agenda as Indian President Pratibha Patil Monday met Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam of the African island nation.
“While expressing satisfaction over the current state of our relations, we did feel that considerable opportunities existed and that there was untapped potential, which could be exploited, particularly in the area of trade and economic cooperation,” President Patil said in a statement after her meeting with Ramgoolam on the second day of her state visit.
“I am happy to state that a business delegation from India will be joining me to explore business opportunities in Mauritius, and towards giving greater content to this important sphere of our interaction. I look forward to my participation in the Business Meet during my stay here, to listen to views from the captains of industry from both sides, and encourage them to participate in our bilateral economic exchanges,” she said.
The president, who is on a five day visit to Mauritius, said that relations will also be enhanced in fields like higher education, information technology, science and technology, tourism, hospitality and culture and people-to-people contacts “reflecting our common heritage and traditions”.
While thanking Mauritius for its stand condemning international terrorism and its support for India’s candidature for permanent membership of the UN Security Council, the president expressed New Delhi’s commitment to work toward enhancing the island nation’s security against pirates.
“Piracy in the Indian Ocean region adversely impacts on us all. As a country deeply committed to the security of Mauritius and its people, we are determined to work with the government of Mauritius in enhancing the security of its people through concrete measures,” she said.
Earlier, the president met her Mauritian counterpart Anerood Jugnauth and first lady Sarojini Jagnauth.
Among her engagements in Port Louis, Patil laid a wreath at the memorial of the Father of the Mauritian nation, Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, and planted a sapling at the Ramgoolam Botanical Garden.