Port Louis:Strengthening maritime security and enhancing navigational safety were the primary focus of a meeting held recently between the Acting Minister of Housing and Lands and Minister of Local Government, Mr. Ranjiv Woochit, and a delegation from the Indian National Hydrography. The meeting took place in the context of the 15th meeting of the Joint Committee on Hydrography in Mauritius.
According to Government of Mauritius, the Indian delegation was led by Commodore Ramkumar Bhaskar Menon, accompanied by Captain Varun Gupta and Commander P. Kartik Muthukumar. They met with Minister Woochit at his office in Port Louis to discuss the reinforcement of the strategic partnership between Mauritius and India through closer cooperation in hydrographic surveys.
Minister Woochit expressed his appreciation for the ongoing work in hydrography and welcomed further efforts to deepen collaboration between the two countries, emphasizing the importance of continued engagement in areas of mutual interest, especially those contributing to Mauritius' maritime development.
Commodore Menon characterized the meeting as fruitful, noting the longstanding historical ties between Mauritius and India. He stated that the discussions would provide valuable guidance for the delegation as it advances the Joint Committee's work and aims to further strengthen bilateral cooperation.
The hydrographic cooperation between Mauritius and India is governed by a Memorandum of Understanding, initially signed in 2006 and periodically renewed. The Joint Committee on Hydrography oversees the partnership, establishes annual survey priorities, and coordinates capacity-building programs. The collaboration includes joint hydrographic surveys aimed at improving knowledge of Mauritius' maritime environment, including a survey conducted by the Indian Navy's INS Nirdeshak in October 2026.
