Pranab to be chief guest at Mauritius' national day

Both countries are expected to ink several bilateral pacts in social sectors like health, tourism, etv

President Pranab Mukherjee will be the chief guest at Mauritius' National Day celebrations on Tuesday.
    
India and Mauritius is likely to ink several bilateral pacts in social sectors, including health and tourism, during Mukherjee's three-day visit to the island nation. He will leave for Mauritius tomorrow.
    
Both the countries enjoy close historical and ancestral relations and India has termed its ties with the country as "unique, special and extraordinary".
    

India gives highest importance to its relations with Mauritius as 70% of its people are of Indian origin and 38% its Foreign Direct Investment comes from that country, in addition to its geo-strategic location, Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs Sudhir Vyas has said.
    
During his visit, Mukherjee will have meetings with Mauritius President Rajkeswur Purryag, Prime Minister Navin C Ramgoolam, Speaker of the National Assembly Abdool Razack Peeroo, Chief Justice Y K J Yeung Sik Yuen and Leader of the Opposition Paul Berenger.
    
President's Press Secretary Venu Rajamony has said Mukherjee is looking forward for the visit and is greatly honoured to be chief guest at Mauritius' national day celebration.
    
This would be Mukherjee's second visit abroad after assuming the office of President. Last week, he went to Bangladesh.