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PM Modi’s Trip To ‘Mini India’ AKA Mauritius Includes Visit To Sacred Ganga Talao, Just Like It Did In 1998

Inside PM Modi's two-day trip to Mauritius.

by Sanjana Shenoy
PM Modi’s Trip To ‘Mini India’ AKA Mauritius Includes Visit To Sacred Ganga Talao, Just Like It Did In 1998

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a two-day visit to Mauritius, a destination he visited 27 years ago and returned with cherished memories. In what seems like a deja vu moment, PM Modi was once again met with a warm welcome from the Indian diaspora who threw a Geet Gawai, a traditional Bihari cultural performance for him. The Prime Minister’s visit 27 years ago to the island nation was a remarkable one as it felt like home away from home. After all, he was in the thick and thin of ‘Mini India.’

PM Modi Visits Mauritius For A 2-Day Visit

On reaching Mauritius, PM Modi revealed that he was deeply touched with the warm welcome organised for him by the Indian community. He called their string connection to Indian culture, heritage and values deeply inspiring. It’s a bond of shared history and heart which continues to thrive.

On X, Modi Archive handle shared trivia on the Prime Minister’s previous visit to Mauritius in 1998. ‘Mini India’ is a name given to the nation thanks to its large Indian-origin population. His last visit to Mauritius was as the BJP’s National General Secretary on the occasion of the International Ramayana Conference in Moka.

Inside His Historic Trip To Mini India In 1998

The X handle shared pictures of his visit to ‘Mini India’ in 1998 where he was seen engaging with Mauritian leaders. Mauritius and India’s history talks of a special one bound by Ramayana. Over 100 years ago, the ancestors of our nation went to Mauritius as labourers. They carried copies of the Hanuman Chalisa, Tulsidas’s Ramayana and the Hindi language. In 1998, PM Modi addressed the crowd and spoke to them about Lord Rama’s universal values. He emphasised how Ramayana serves as a bridge between the two nations.

PM Modi also attended an event dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi. At the event, he closely witnessed how Mauritians deeply revered the icon of non-violence and were also inspired by India’s fight against the colonial rule. 2nd October is not just celebrated as Gandhi Jayanti by Indians but Mauritians as well.

Also Read: You Can Now Book Direct Flights From Bengaluru To Mauritius With IndiGo

PM Modi’s 2025 Visit: 8 MoUs, Highest National Award & Ganga Talao

Another significant moment from his trip was a visit to the sacred Ganga Talao. It’s a crater lake developed by Hindus in Mauritius by pouring water from the river Ganga into the lake. The lake symbolises a piece of India’s spiritual essence right here in Mauritius. While the quantity of water may be small, PM Modi acknowledged the devotion associated with it that surpasses boundaries. In 2015, PM Modi returned to Ganga Talao and offered flowers to Maa Ganga.

Also Read: 8 Stunning Beaches In Mauritius To Add To Your Itinerary

India and Mauritius’s shared culture, heritage and history is what gives the latter the name ‘Mini India.’ This time as well, PM Modi brought with him sacred water from the river Ganga and let it flow into the Ganga Talao at Port Louis in Mauritius. In a significant move, the Prime Minister was conferred Mauritius’ highest national award, which he dedicated to the Indian ancestors of the island nation. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri revealed that during the brief two-day visit, PM Modi signed 8 MoUs to strengthen the relation between the two nations.

Now that we know why Mauritius is named ‘Mini India’, does PM Modi’s visit encourage you to make a trip soon?

Cover Image Courtesy: @narendramodi/ X

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First Published: March 12, 2025 6:47 PM