New Delhi, Aug 8: In a significant step towards deepening development cooperation, India on Wednesday handed over the first batch of 10 electric buses to Mauritius. The ceremonial handover took place at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Public Service and Innovation in Reduit, a key symbol of India-Mauritius friendship.Indian High Commissioner Anurag Srivastava formally handed over the e-buses to Mauritian Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, in the presence of several ministers, junior ministers, and senior dignitaries. The event marks a milestone in the two countriesā green partnership, reaffirming the Enhanced Strategic Partnership announced during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modiās state visit to Mauritius in March 2025.
Sharing updates on social media, the Indian High Commission in Port Louis quoted PM Ramgoolam as describing the e-bus project as a āparadigm shift in public transport and a symbol of the special relationship that has stood the test of timeā.
Ramgoolam also emphasized the project’s significance in reducing emissions, cutting fuel imports, and creating employment in the e-mobility sector. He praised Indiaās contributions to key sectors such as the blue economy, artificial intelligence, food and maritime security, and future-ready infrastructure.
High Commissioner Srivastava, in his address, reiterated Indiaās commitment to a people-centric and sustainable development model. Calling the e-buses āmoving symbols of our friendship and commitment to a cleaner and greener planet,ā he also highlighted India’s broader support for Mauritiusās green transition, including an 8 MW solar PV farm at Henrietta, 100 solar-powered street lights, and a community solar farm in Rodrigues.
The e-bus handover follows PM Modiās March 2025 visit to Mauritius, during which both leaders jointly inaugurated the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Public Service and Innovation. The project, implemented under the India-Mauritius development partnership, reinforces New Delhiās role in capacity building and sustainable growth in the island nation.
India has long been a key development partner for Mauritius, supporting several major infrastructure initiatives such as the Metro Express Project, the new Supreme Court building, ENT Hospital, 956 social housing units, and distribution of educational tablets. PM Ramgoolam acknowledged that these projects have touched all sections of Mauritian society and continue to shape the countryās development landscape.
The latest initiative further strengthens the diplomatic and strategic ties between the two nations, centered around sustainability and innovation.