Mauritius Prime Minister Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam has announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be awarded the country’s highest honor, “The Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean.” PM Modi becomes the first Indian to receive this prestigious award. He is currently visiting Mauritius at the invitation of Prime Minister Ramgoolam.

During his visit on Tuesday, PM Modi also unveiled a significant gesture of goodwill by announcing the issuance of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards to both Prime Minister Ramgoolam and his spouse, Veena Ramgoolam. This move underscores India’s commitment to strengthening its ties with the Mauritian diaspora and enhancing bilateral relations.

The OCI cards were formally handed over at the start of a community event attended by over 3,500 people, including several members of the Mauritian cabinet. Prime Minister Ramgoolam expressed his appreciation, saying, “It is a pleasant surprise for me and my wife.”

In March 2024, India expanded the eligibility for OCI cards to include Mauritian nationals of Indian descent, with lineage tracing back up to seven generations. Currently, Mauritius is home to 22,188 Indian nationals and 13,198 OCI card holders.