President Mrs Pratibha Devisingh Patil's five day state visit to Mauritius, starting today

India and Mauritius will discuss a whole range of bilateral, regional and international issues during President Mrs Pratibha Devisingh Patil's five day state visit to Mauritius, starting today. Briefing reporters in New Delhi today, Secretary(west), Ministry of External Affairs, Vivek Katju said, the President's visit is part of the process of exchanges at the highest political level between the two countries.

A high level business delegation will be in Mauritius during Mrs Patil's visit . Shippping Minister G K Vasan and three MPs are also accompanying the President. Our correspondent reports, during her stay, Mrs Patil will address the national assembly of Mauritius and unveil a bust of late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

India's relations with Mauritius, the paradise Indian ocean island on the earth is all set to get a fillip with President Pratibha Devi Singh Patil's five day state visit. With over 51 per cent of population of people of Indian origin, Mauritius has a special affinity with India. This has been reflected with several high level visits. With most favoured nation status, the bi-lateral trade has already crossed 470 million US dollar. Mauritius contributes a whopping over 40 per cent foreign direct investment flow into India. New Delhi has been a strong votary of Mauritius's claim over the Indian ocean island of Diego Garcia . India has been the destination of Mauritius students and numerous cultural exchanges. India's investments in the paradise island is also huge. The President's visit aims at consolidating the ties in the areas of finance, trade and commerce and tourism besides strengthening the island's telecommunication and IT sector. Though the two countries are geographically miles apart, their heart beat sounds the same.