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Port Louis (Mauritius), Apr 26 (ANI): President Pratibha Devisingh Patil on Tuesday lauded the Mauritius government for its consistent support to India’s candidature for permanent membership of an expanded United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

Addressing the National Assembly of Mauritius here, President Patil said: “India appreciates the unswerving and consistent support of Mauritius to India’s candidature for permanent membership of an expanded UNSC.”

Reaffirming the commitment of India for the welfare, progress and prosperity of Mauritius, President Patil said: “Our ties are extensive in scope and comprehensive in content. India will continue to remain a valued and trusted partner of Mauritius, in its multifaceted comprehensive development.”

“We would be happy to participate in various aspects of the growth story of your country. Our exchange of experience in tackling climate change has been fruitful. Our participation in conceptualizing, in elaborating and in tackling the various issues confronting the 21st Century world has been mutually beneficial,” she said.

“We are determined to confront the global menace of terrorism and piracy along with our international partners to eliminate this scourge,” she added.

Congratulating Mauritius for the successful conduct of its electoral processes, President Patil said: “In a democracy, parliamentary institutions play a very important role. These symbolize a national purpose, and are representative of the aspirations of the people. Every election marks a new mandate and is a renewal of democracy itself.

“The democratic spirit that Mauritius has always believed in resonates in your august National Assembly, which is the citadel of democracy, freedom and justice. I congratulate Mauritius for holding aloft the torch of democracy with conviction,” she added.

She said India have admired the progress made by Mauritius over the years. We take pride in the achievements of Mauritius.

“This has been possible due to the hard work of its people, who have been guided by a vision of inclusive prosperity. I have no doubt that it was in the National Assembly that many of the policies and approaches of development would have been discussed and debated,” she added.

She further said: ” We continue to seek to build on our historical ties and to deepen our exchanges with the continent of Africa. Our partnership is developing through various bilateral arrangements and, at a broader level, through the India-Africa Forum Summit.”

“The second India-Africa Forum Summit to be held next month in Addis Ababa would develop new areas of cooperation and provide a trajectory for further growth of our cherished relations. The Indian Ocean is the region to which we belong to, and both India and Mauritius would have an important role to play in this regard. I am particularly pleased that my first visit to Africa is to the friendly country of Mauritius,” she added. (ANI)