Anurag Srivastava Appointed as India’s High Commissioner to Mauritius
The Ministry of External Affairs has announced that Anurag Srivastava, an Indian Foreign Service officer from the 1999 batch, will be the next High Commissioner of India to Mauritius. Currently, he serves as Joint Secretary in the Ministry and is expected to take on his new role soon.
India-Mauritius Relations
India and Mauritius share a deep historical and cultural connection, with people of Indian origin making up nearly 70% of Mauritius’ population. This relationship dates back to 1729 when Indian workers first arrived in Mauritius. The bond was further strengthened during British rule when many Indian indentured laborers settled on the island. November 2, known as Aapravasi Diwas, marks the arrival of the first batch of workers in 1834.
Diplomatic Ties and Cooperation
India and Mauritius established diplomatic relations in 1948, and their partnership has been marked by cooperation in maritime security, development assistance, and cultural exchange. India’s influence is visible through various projects and institutions like the Indian Cultural Centre and the Mahatma Gandhi Institute.
With Srivastava’s appointment, India aims to further enhance mutual trust and collaboration with Mauritius on global and regional platforms.
Doubts Revealed
Anurag Srivastava -: Anurag Srivastava is an officer in the Indian Foreign Service, which is a group of people who work for the Indian government to manage relationships with other countries.
High Commissioner -: A High Commissioner is like an ambassador, but specifically for countries that are part of the Commonwealth, a group of countries that were once part of the British Empire. They help maintain good relations between the two countries.
Mauritius -: Mauritius is a small island country in the Indian Ocean, near Africa. It has a lot of people who have Indian ancestors, which is why India and Mauritius have a close relationship.
Indian Foreign Service -: The Indian Foreign Service (IFS) is a part of the Indian government. People in the IFS work in different countries to help India have good relationships with those countries.
Diplomatic relations -: Diplomatic relations are the official relationships between two countries. They involve things like trade, security, and cultural exchanges to help both countries work together peacefully.
Maritime security -: Maritime security is about keeping the seas safe from dangers like pirates or illegal fishing. It is important for countries like India and Mauritius because they are surrounded by water and rely on the sea for trade and resources.