When PM Modi Visited ‘Mini India’: A Look Back At His 1998 Mauritius Visit

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Last Updated:March 10, 2025, 18:38 IST

Prime Minister Modi’s connection with Mauritius dates back to 1998, when, as BJP’s National General Secretary, he visited the island nation to speak at the International Ramayana Conference.

PM Modi visited the sacred Ganga Talao, where he witnessed how Hindu traditions continue to thrive outside India. (X/@modiarchive)

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares to visit Mauritius on March 11-12, 2025, where he will be the Chief Guest at the island nation’s National Day celebrations, it is more than just a diplomatic trip; it is a return to a land often called ‘Mini India’ for its deep-rooted cultural and ancestral ties with India. The bond between India and Mauritius is not just political—it is civilisational, woven through shared ancestry, language, and history. And for PM Modi, this connection dates back long before his tenure as Prime Minister.

THE 1998 VISIT: MODI’S FIRST BOND WITH MAURITIUS

In October 1998, a lesser-known yet deeply significant visit took place. Narendra Modi, then the BJP’s National General Secretary, travelled to Mauritius to address the International Ramayana Conference in Moka. He spoke about the Ramayana’s universal values, and its role in strengthening the deep-rooted civilisational ties between India and Mauritius.

During that visit, Modi engaged with key Mauritian leaders—including then-President Cassam Uteem, Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Leader of the Opposition Anerood Jugnauth and Paul Raymond Bérenger, who later became Prime Minister of Mauritius.

When Narendra Modi Visited’ Mini India’ in 1998 – Modi in MauritiusIndia and Mauritius share a deep bond of history, ancestry, culture, language, and the Indian Ocean. As Prime Minister @narendramodi revisits Mauritius, it feels like a homecoming to ‘Mini India.’
Over a… pic.twitter.com/nTSYZCj9pZ
— Modi Archive (@modiarchive) March 10, 2025

Beyond formal meetings, Modi deeply engaged with the people, understanding their aspirations and their reverence for Mahatma Gandhi. He visited the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanic Garden, paying tribute to the Father of the nation, Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, whose struggle for independence mirrored India’s own freedom movement.

SPIRITUAL AND CULTURAL IMMERSION

Modi also visited Ganga Talao, the sacred lake where generations of indentured labourers and their descendants continued Hindu traditions far from their ancestral land. Reflecting on this in 2015, he recalled: “If there is one place that unites all of Mauritius, it is Ganga Sagar. Though the quantity of water from the Ganga may be small, the emotions and devotion associated with it have given it a different dimension. Far from India, a pond bearing the name of the Ganga continues to inspire Mauritius to awaken its cultural heritage."

He also explored Mauritius’s natural wonders, including the Seven Coloured Earths of Chamarel, a unique geological formation known for its vibrant sand dunes. At the Chamarel Waterfall, he witnessed one of the island’s most striking landscapes. Additionally, he visited Île aux Cerfs, where he observed Mauritius’s efforts to maintain a delicate balance between environmental conservation and human habitation.

This early connection shaped Modi’s understanding of Mauritius and the Indian Ocean region, influencing policies that today reinforce India’s commitment to its maritime neighbour. As he returns, now as a global statesman, the visit is not just about nostalgia—it’s about reinforcing India’s role as a partner in Mauritius’s security and development.