story of friendship of two nation india mauritius 75 year of diplomatic relation
India and Mauritius share a longstanding bilateral relationship that spans several decades. While formal diplomatic relations began 75 years ago in 1948, the arrival of Indians in Mauritius dates back to the early 18th century, when Indian artisans and masons were brought to Mauritius under French Colonial rule. In the 19th and early 20th century, about half a million Indian indentured workers were brought to Mauritius under British rule, out of which, about two-thirds settled down in Mauritius. The first batch of 36 indentured workers arrived in Mauritius on 2nd November 1834 and 2nd November is now celebrated every year as ‘Aapravasi Diwas’. Mahatma Gandhi visited Mauritius in 1901 and exhorted Indian workers to educate themselves and become politically empowered. During the struggle for independence from British rule, Indian and Mauritian leaders were in regular contact. Soon after India became independent, India deputed Shri Dharam Yash Dev as the first Indian Commissioner to...