INDIA on Monday offered a USD 100 million line of credit to Mauritius to facilitate procurement of defence assets as the two countries signed a landmark Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Partnership Agreement following talks between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth here.

 

Jaishankar, who arrived here in India’s strategically key maritime neighbour in the Indian Ocean region on Sunday night from the Maldives on the last leg of his two-nation tour, reviewed comprehensive and important bilateral relationship during his meeting with the Prime Minister. “Our discussions, I believe, were very productive and forward looking, and we really reviewed all aspects of the relationship as well as status of implementation of various projects,” Jaishankar said while jointly addressing the media with Prime Minister Jugnauth.

 

“A special USD 100 million defence line of credit has also been signed today which will enable the procurement of defence assets from India as per the needs of your Government. These initiatives underline once again that the security of Mauritius is the security of India; in the prosperity of Mauritius is our prosperity,” he said, reaffirming India’s SAGAR policy. Mauritius is one of India’s key maritime neighbours in Indian Ocean Region and occupies a special place in the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘SAGAR’ (Security and Growth for All in the Region).