BuzzBytes New Delhi, Feb 29: In a significant stride towards bolstering bilateral ties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mauritius counterpart Pravind Jugnauth are set to jointly inaugurate key development projects in Agalega Island. The ceremony, conducted via video conferencing at 1 pm, will mark the unveiling of a new Airstrip, St James Jetty, and six community development initiatives.The projects hold paramount importance, symbolizing the enduring and robust development partnership between India and Mauritius, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office. The inauguration aims to enhance connectivity between mainland Mauritius and Agalega, fortify maritime security, and stimulate socio-economic development in the region.“The inauguration of these projects is a testimony to the robust and decades-old development partnership between India and Mauritius,” stated the Prime Minister’s Office.The projects follow the recent launch of Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and RuPay Card services in Mauritius on February 12, where PM Modi emphasized the role of fintech connectivity in strengthening not just cross-border transactions but also cross-border connections.“Through Fintech connectivity, not only cross-border transactions but also cross-border connections will be strengthened. India’s Unified Payments Interface, i.e., UPI, is now performing a new responsibility: – Uniting Partners with India,” remarked PM Modi.Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Mauritius Prime Minister Praveen Jugnauth were also present at the UPI launch event, where the ties between India and Mauritius were described as entering a new dimension with digital payment connectivity.Prime Minister Jugnauth expressed his pleasure in co-branding the Rupay card with Mauritius’ national payment switch, MoCAS, designating it as the domestic card. He highlighted the historic cultural, commercial, and people-to-people linkages between India and Mauritius, emphasizing the new dimension added to this relationship through the recent digital milestones.The joint inauguration reflects the commitment of both nations to mutual growth and collaboration, contributing to the socio-economic upliftment of Agalega Island and strengthening the strategic ties between India and Mauritius.
