Peaceful Indian Ocean must for India, Mauritius: President Kovind

Port Louis [Mauritius], Mar. 13 (ANI): President Ram Nath Kovind said on Tuesday that a peaceful Indian Ocean was must for India and Mauritius.

He was addressing a gathering of Indian diaspora here at the reception hosted in his honour by the High Commissioner of India in Mauritius.

"The Indian Ocean has connected us in many ways. It has been a uniting force for us. A stable and peaceful Indian Ocean is in the interest of both India and Mauritius. We must strive and work together to ensure and achieve this shared objective," President Kovind said.

The President also lauded economic progress of Mauritius.

"In the last 50 years, the people of Mauritius have created a democratic, plural and multiethnic society laced with high optimism and progress. The economic achievements of this small but vibrant country are laudable. You have created, what many call, a heaven on earth," President Kovind said.

He also said Indians wanted to support their brothers and sisters here, in building a stronger Mauritius, with infrastructural projects that add value to the well-being of common people.

Terming India and Mauritius as two countries, but one people; the President said, "Our inspiration, encouragement and inner strength also come from the same source. For both of us, Mahatma Gandhi is an everlasting source of pride. His message and struggle did not stop on the sands of Dandi, it reached in full strength to shores of Mauritius as well."

He also invited Indian diaspora to visit and participate in the programmes of the Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra in Delhi.

President Kovind also exhorted Indian diaspora to spread Indian thought and practice at the world stage.

Earlier, the President also laid the foundation stone of an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) hospital here. (ANI)