The two leaders had agreed to facilitate trade settlements in local currencies--Indian Rupee and Mauritian Rupee--which would help derisk bilateral trade.
The two leaders also agreed to hold the second session of the High Power Joint Trade Committee under the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA) to further strengthen trade, economic cooperation and partnership between the two nations.
The MEA in a joint statement said, "Both leaders agreed that it is now opportune to further enhance the trade partnership by committing to continue discussions on the Economic & Technological Cooperation Agreement; enhance INR-LKR trade settlements between the two countries; and encourag
Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said on Thursday that discussions on trade settlements in national currency have been very positive within the BRICS framework.
“Now, just like that, the Rupee-Dirham mechanism which we have just signed, is the first one for both of us. In that sense, it's extremely significant. I actually see it as a paradigm shift in how we can make trade settlements”, he added.
The Government of India has made suitable amendments in the Foreign Trade Policy and Handbook of Procedures to allow for International Trade Settlement in Indian Rupees