Prime Minister Narendra Modi warmly welcomed his Mauritian counterpart, Navinchandra Ramgoolam, in Varanasi on September 11, 2025, for a historic bilateral meeting in his parliamentary constituency. The two leaders, meeting at the luxurious Hotel Taj, shared a heartfelt handshake, signaling the deep ties between India and Mauritius as they prepared to discuss critical areas of cooperation.

Modi arrived in Varanasi at around 11:30 a.m., greeted by the rhythmic beats of drums, the sound of conch shells, and chants of “Har Har Mahadev” from enthusiastic crowds. Local residents, BJP workers, and leaders lined the streets, showering flower petals and waving Mauritius flags to honor the visiting dignitary. Landing at Babatpur airport from Delhi, Modi was received by Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath before proceeding to the Varanasi police lines and then to the meeting venue. The city, adorned with banners and hoardings, buzzed with excitement, with some posters thanking Modi for recent GST cuts on dairy products.

The bilateral talks, the first of their kind between Modi and a head of state in Varanasi, focused on strengthening the “enhanced strategic partnership” established during Modi’s March 2025 visit to Mauritius. Discussions centered on development partnerships and capacity building, with an emphasis on collaboration in health, education, science and technology, energy, infrastructure, renewable energy, digital public infrastructure, and the blue economy. The meeting underscores the enduring civilizational and spiritual bonds between India and Mauritius, rooted in shared history and people-to-people ties.

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Security was tightened with a three-layer cover to ensure a smooth visit, reflecting the high-profile nature of the event. BJP leaders noted that while Modi previously hosted French President Emmanuel Macron in 2018 and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2022 in Varanasi, this marks the first formal bilateral meeting with a head of state in the holy city. As India and Mauritius deepen their strategic and cultural ties, the Varanasi summit sets the stage for a new chapter in their partnership, blending diplomacy with the spiritual essence of Kashi.

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