PM Modi is visiting Mauritius on March 11 and 12 at the invitation of Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam. The two-day trip is primarily to grace the island nation’s national day celebrations. A contingent of Indian armed forces will participate in the celebrations along with a warship of the Indian Navy and the Akash Ganga skydiving team of theIndian Air Force. The prime minister said the close and historical people-to-people connection between the two sides is a source of shared pride. He said he was looking forward to engaging with the leadership of Mauritius to elevate \”our partnership in all its facets and strengthen our enduring friendship for the progress and prosperity of our peoples\” The two nations signed a comprehensive economic cooperation and partnership agreement (CECPA) in February 2021 after nearly 15 years of negotiations. It was the first trade agreement signed by India with an African country. The close bonds are especially evident in the numerous India-assisted development projects that dot the Mauritian landscape.