PM Modi pleads for peaceful resolution of maritime disputes
13 March 2015 11:44 PM GMT
On the second leg of his three-nation visit, he commissioned the India-built coastal patrol vessel for Mauritius in the presence of his host Prime Minister Anerood Jugnauth and touched upon the need for cooperation among Indian Ocean countries.
Stating that the world often defines regional groupings around landmass, Modi said the time has come for a strong grouping around the Indian Ocean.
“We will pursue this with new vigour in the years ahead,” he said, adding, there can be no better place to host the Indian Ocean Regional Association (IORA) than Mauritius.
Modi said those who live in the region have the primary responsibility for peace, stability and prosperity in the Indian Ocean.
As China tries to gain a foothold in the Indian Ocean region, Modi said India recognised that there are other nations around the world, with strong interests and stakes in the region.
“But, we recognise that there are other nations around the world, with strong interests and stakes in the region.
“We seek a future for Indian Ocean that lives up to the name of ‘SAGAR - Security and Growth for All in the Region’,” he said.
He made a fervent plea for peaceful resolution of maritime issues and respect for international maritime rules in comments that have come against the backdrop of China seeking to exert influence in the disputed waters of the South China Sea.
Modi added he was pleased that the Secretary General of IORA is from India. Currently Ambassador K V Bhagirath is the Secretary General.
The Prime Minister noted that India is deeply engaged with Indian Ocean countries through dialogue, visits, exercises, capacity building and economic partnership.
“Indian Ocean Region is at the top of our policy priorities,” he said.
The Prime Minister said India’s goal is to seek a climate of trust and transparency, and respect for international maritime rules.
“Our goal is to seek a climate of trust and transparency, respect for international maritime rules and norms by all countries, sensitivity to each other’s interests, peaceful resolution of maritime issues and increase in maritime cooperation,” he said.
India has always maintained that there should be a freedom of navigation in the high seas and the territorial dispute in the South China Sea should be resolved through dialogue.
Modi visits Ganga Talao in Mauritius, prays at temple
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday visited the Ganga Talao, considered to be the most sacred Hindu place in Mauritius, and offered prayers at the temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Modi, who held talks with Mauritius’ top leadership on Wednesday night, began the second day of his trip here by visiting the holy site in the morning and performing ‘puja’ and ‘aarti’ at the temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
The Ganga Talao also known as the Grand Bassin is a crater lake situated in a secluded mountain area in the district of Savanne, deep in the heart of Mauritius. It is about 1,800 feet above sea level. The first group of pilgrims who went to Ganga Talao were from the village of Triolet and it was led by Pandit Giri Gossayne from Terre Rouge in 1898. It is considered the most sacred Hindu place in Mauritius and a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is situated on the lake-side.
During Shivaratri, many pilgrims in Mauritius walk bare feet from their homes to the lake.
Stating that the world often defines regional groupings around landmass, Modi said the time has come for a strong grouping around the Indian Ocean.
“We will pursue this with new vigour in the years ahead,” he said, adding, there can be no better place to host the Indian Ocean Regional Association (IORA) than Mauritius.
Modi said those who live in the region have the primary responsibility for peace, stability and prosperity in the Indian Ocean.
As China tries to gain a foothold in the Indian Ocean region, Modi said India recognised that there are other nations around the world, with strong interests and stakes in the region.
“But, we recognise that there are other nations around the world, with strong interests and stakes in the region.
“We seek a future for Indian Ocean that lives up to the name of ‘SAGAR - Security and Growth for All in the Region’,” he said.
He made a fervent plea for peaceful resolution of maritime issues and respect for international maritime rules in comments that have come against the backdrop of China seeking to exert influence in the disputed waters of the South China Sea.
Modi added he was pleased that the Secretary General of IORA is from India. Currently Ambassador K V Bhagirath is the Secretary General.
The Prime Minister noted that India is deeply engaged with Indian Ocean countries through dialogue, visits, exercises, capacity building and economic partnership.
“Indian Ocean Region is at the top of our policy priorities,” he said.
The Prime Minister said India’s goal is to seek a climate of trust and transparency, and respect for international maritime rules.
“Our goal is to seek a climate of trust and transparency, respect for international maritime rules and norms by all countries, sensitivity to each other’s interests, peaceful resolution of maritime issues and increase in maritime cooperation,” he said.
India has always maintained that there should be a freedom of navigation in the high seas and the territorial dispute in the South China Sea should be resolved through dialogue.
Modi visits Ganga Talao in Mauritius, prays at temple
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday visited the Ganga Talao, considered to be the most sacred Hindu place in Mauritius, and offered prayers at the temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Modi, who held talks with Mauritius’ top leadership on Wednesday night, began the second day of his trip here by visiting the holy site in the morning and performing ‘puja’ and ‘aarti’ at the temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
The Ganga Talao also known as the Grand Bassin is a crater lake situated in a secluded mountain area in the district of Savanne, deep in the heart of Mauritius. It is about 1,800 feet above sea level. The first group of pilgrims who went to Ganga Talao were from the village of Triolet and it was led by Pandit Giri Gossayne from Terre Rouge in 1898. It is considered the most sacred Hindu place in Mauritius and a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is situated on the lake-side.
During Shivaratri, many pilgrims in Mauritius walk bare feet from their homes to the lake.
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