India and Mauritania Strengthen Diplomatic Ties
On October 17, India and Mauritania signed several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to enhance their diplomatic relationship. The signing took place in Nouakchott, Mauritania, with the presence of Indian President Droupadi Murmu and Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani. This marks the first visit by an Indian President to Mauritania, as part of a three-nation tour including Algeria and Malawi from October 13 to 19.
Key Agreements
The MoUs include an agreement for consultations between the foreign ministries of both countries. This aims to promote bilateral relations in various fields, contributing to international peace and security. It will also facilitate cooperation in research on foreign policy issues and the exchange of archival documents.
Another MoU was signed between India’s Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service and Mauritania’s Diplomatic Academy. This will encourage cooperation in training programs for diplomats and the exchange of experts and faculty members.
Visa Exemption and Cultural Exchange
India and Mauritania agreed on a visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and official/service passports, allowing them to enter each other’s countries for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without a visa.
A cultural exchange program was also established for 2024-2028, aiming to strengthen cultural ties in areas such as music, dance, theatre, art, and more.
Doubts Revealed
Mauritania -: Mauritania is a country in West Africa. It is known for its vast deserts and rich cultural heritage. The capital city of Mauritania is Nouakchott.
MoUs -: MoUs stands for Memorandums of Understanding. These are agreements between two or more parties, often countries, to work together on certain issues or projects.
Droupadi Murmu -: Droupadi Murmu is the President of India. She is the first Indian President to visit Mauritania, which is a significant event in strengthening the relationship between the two countries.
Mohamed Ould Ghazouani -: Mohamed Ould Ghazouani is the President of Mauritania. He is involved in signing agreements with India to improve relations between the two nations.
Diplomatic passport holders -: Diplomatic passport holders are people who have special passports for official government work. They often get special privileges, like not needing a visa to enter certain countries.
Visa exemption -: Visa exemption means that people do not need a visa to enter a country for a certain period. In this case, diplomatic passport holders from India and Mauritania can visit each other’s countries for up to 90 days without a visa.
