NEW DELHI: External affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal welcomed Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam and his delegation in Varanasi – this time speaking in Bhojpuri.Jaiswal posted a short video clip on X where he is heard saying, “Sabnike, Banaras ke Ganga ghat se, Assi Ghat se pranaam. Khaaskar humni ke parivaar jo Mauritius mein rahela, unko pranaam. Aaj ke dinwa, Mauritius Bharat ke rishte mein vishesh dinwa (Greetings to everyone from the Ganga ghats of Banaras, from Assi Ghat. Especially, greetings to our family living in Mauritius. Today is a special day in the relationship between Mauritius and India).”The caption of Jaiswal’s video clip, which shows him speaking against the backdrop of the Ganges, read in Hindi: “India – Mauritius relations: A new chapter. Listen in Bhojpuri!”On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke during the Joint Press Statement with the Mauritius Prime Minister. He said, “Centuries ago, our culture and traditions travelled from India to Mauritius, and became a part of everyday life there. Just like the eternal flow of Maa Ganga in Kashi, the continuous stream of Indian culture has enriched Mauritius.”He added, “Today, when we are welcoming friends from Mauritius in Kashi, it is not just a formality but a spiritual union. That is why I proudly say that India and Mauritius are not just partners but a family.”According to scholars, indentured labourers from northern India, especially from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, were taken to Mauritius in the 19th century under British colonial rule. Many of them spoke Bhojpuri. Over time, the Bhojpuri-speaking community has flourished in Mauritian society.This is not the first time Jaiswal spoke Bhojpuri publicly. Earlier in March, during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Mauritius for its National Day celebrations, the MEA spokesperson addressed mediapersons in Bhojpuri.Meanwhile, the Mauritius Prime Minister, who arrived in India on September 9, attended the Ganga Aarti in Varanasi on Wednesday. He experienced what he called a sacred connection with the Holy Ganga.In a post on X, Jaiswal wrote: “Experiencing the sacred connect with the Holy Ganga. PM @Ramgoolam_Dr of Mauritius witnessed Ganga Aarti at Varanasi today. This spiritual experience symbolises the timeless bonds of faith and tradition that bind India and Mauritius.”On September 9, the Mauritian Prime Minister was given a ceremonial welcome and Guard of Honour in Varanasi and was received by Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also met his Mauritian counterpart there.Both leaders held talks on a wide range of cooperation areas, including development partnership and capacity building. They discussed working together in health, education, science and technology, energy, infrastructure, renewable energy, digital public infrastructure and the blue economy.The visit builds on the momentum of PM Modi’s State Visit to Mauritius in March 2025, when the two countries elevated their relationship to an Enhanced Strategic Partnership.As a close maritime neighbour in the Indian Ocean Region, Mauritius continues to be central to India’s MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Region) vision and its Neighbourhood First policy.
