Mauritius PM Navinchandra Ramgoolam has bestowed the country's highest honour 'The Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean', to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his current two-day visit to the East African nation.

Modi is the first Indian PM to receive the honour.

Modi Describes It As An Honour For 1.4 Billion Indians

Modi dedicated the award to 1.4 billion Indians and said it was a tribute to the centuries-old cultural and historical bonds of kinship between India and Mauritius.

"It is an acknowledgment of our shared commitment to regional peace, progress, security and sustainable development. And, it is a symbol of the shared hopes and aspirations of the Global South," Modi said.

"It is an acknowledgment of our shared commitment to regional peace, progress, security and sustainable development. And, it is a symbol of the shared hopes and aspirations of the Global South," he said.

Modi said: "Through their hard work, they wrote a golden chapter in the development of Mauritius and contributed to its vibrant diversity."

National Day Of Mauritius

Modi is attending the 57th National Day celebrations of the Republic of Mauritius as the Chief Guest.

He is visiting the country at the invitation of Navinchandra Ramgoolam.

During the National Day celebrations, an Indian Navy marching contingent participated in the parade. An Indian Naval Ship also made a Port Call to coincide with the National Day celebrations.

Modi Meeting Mauritian President

Narendra Modi on Tuesday met Mauritius President Dharambeer Gokhool on the first day of his visit to the country.

During their meeting, Modi reportedly presented a Banarasi silk saree in a Sadeli box to Mauritius First Lady Vrinda Gokhool.

According to media reports, he also gifted makhana, a traditional food from Bihar, to Mauritius President Dharambeer Gokhool.

"The two leaders exchanged views on deepening the special and close bilateral ties between India and Mauritius. In this context, they recalled the shared history between the two countries and the existence of strong people-to-people linkages," read a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs.

The Prime Minister noted that it was an honour for him to attend the National Day celebrations of Mauritius as Chief Guest for the second time.

"In a special gesture Prime Minister handed over OCI cards to President Gokhool and First Lady Vrinda Gokhool," the statement said.