Madam Speaker, as I stated during my press conference on 27 September 2025 following my State visit to India, I was invited by Shri Narendra Modi to visit India. In fact, on the very day, the results were coming out in Constituency No. 5. He rang me. I left the place; I came to my residence because there was too much noise, and he invited me to come to India. And I explained, unfortunately, because the results of the elections were not yet proclaimed, and obviously, I would need to look at urgent matters – we were sure there was going to be urgent matters as Prime Minister – so, I could not undertake the visit right away, but I will undertake the visit at some point. With regard to part (a)(i) of the question, I wish to inform the House that I led a high- level delegation to India from 09 to 16 September 2025. The delegation comprised of five Ministers, one Junior Minister, one Member of Parliament, senior government officials, heads of key public institutions and some 50 representatives of the private sector. In regard to part (a)(ii) of the question, I think it is ironical that the hon. Member, who himself undertook three missions during the short stint he was Speaker – 78 days to be exact – appointed under very dubious circumstances is more interested in expenses incurred for the mission – such an important mission, instead of focusing on the outcome of the visit. In fact, during the 78 days of his Speakership, the hon. Member travelled for more than 13 days.

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You have said it at least three times!

No, but I do have to repeat it.

To three different countries!

As long as you…another.

Except for him – except for you –, nobody is aware of the benefits that the country derived from the nearly Rs800,000 spent on these missions!

Jouisseur!

Madam Speaker, the total cost incurred, in respect of the Prime Minister’s Office, during my State visit to India and the official delegation is around Rs3.8 million, representing basically airfares, allowances and so on. I must point out, Madam Speaker, that the quantum of the allowances is based on the same rate applicable since 2017. It has not been changed. I wish to inform the House that my State visit resulted in a Special Economic Package to the tune of 680 million US Dollars, which is approximately Rs31 billion. The financial assistance will meet the needs and priorities in Mauritius in several areas. India has also agreed to give us a grant of 25 million US Dollars as budgetary support for this financial year. 25 million dollars! In regard to part (b) of the question, I consider it frankly a lack of respect towards the Prime Minister of India and his Government for the hon. Member to request a detailed copy of the programme of the visit. It is India who decides where I should go and whom I should meet. It is not me who says I want do this and I want to do that.

(Interruptions)

You should know all this! Madam Speaker, let me highlight the salient features of the State visit – (i) The visit started with India-Mauritius Business Conclave, held on 10 September 2025 in Mumbai, which was jointly organised by the Economic Development Board and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry. The business meeting brought together some 200 Indian and 55 Mauritian private sector players. It allowed Mauritian businessmen to network with their Indian counterparts for potential collaboration in various sectors of interest, including

22 financial services, Information and Communication technology, medical Services, and manufacturing. This meeting resulted in the identification of several important foreign direct investment potential. Some high-level investors have already travelled to Mauritius and will soon be embarking on high value projects. The Lilavati Foundation which came to Mauritius soon after my visit met me there. They will embark on the construction of a 200-bed multi-speciality hospital. It will be a state-of-the-art hospital which will include a separate paediatric and gynaecological ward. This will help Mauritius. Instead of our patients having to travel to India to get top medical care, this will be here in Mauritius. They will not have to pay for whatever rooms they will have to rent. They will not have to pay. The travelling is very expensive. So, this will help. The Economic Development Board also partnered with InvestUP to organize an India-Mauritius Business meeting in Varanasi. The event attracted 50 private sector operators from Uttar Pradesh and discussions centred on fostering joint collaboration and facilitating two-way investment between Uttar Pradesh and Mauritius. The official part of my State visit started in Varanasi, making it the first time that a Head of Government was received in Varanasi. This is a religious and cultural heartbeat of India, and also it happens to be the parliamentary constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (ii) As a prelude to my meeting with the Prime Minister of India, I had a working session with the Foreign Secretary of India, Mr Vikram Misri. Our discussions focused on the launch of various new projects and on addressing the implementation of existing agreements, including the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement. (iii) On 10 September 2025, I had a one-to-one meeting with the Prime Minister of India, Mr Narendra Modi, in Varanasi. The one-to-one meeting with Shree Narendra Modi was followed by a working session. We discussed key issues of mutual importance, including regional security and our shared commitment to an ‘Enhanced Strategic Partnership’.

23 Furthermore, I had in-depth discussions related to the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement, highlighting how the Protocol signed by the previous government in May 2016 is undermining our financial services sector to the advantage of other countries like Singapore, Netherlands and all these. We agreed to pursue further consultations to ensure a mutually beneficial outcome and alignment on key issues before we can sign a new Protocol. Madam Speaker, the Prime Minister of India responded positively to my request to facilitate the upcoming travel of a Mauritian delegation, which I will lead together with the Deputy Prime Minster to the Chagos Archipelago. Madam Speaker, following my restricted meeting with the Prime Minister of India, there was a high-level delegation meeting during which seven Memoranda of Understanding and Agreements were exchanged and three others were announced in numerous fields such as space research, marine science, power, renewable energies, education and technological sectors. (iv) Besides, the high-level strategic meeting with the Prime Minister of India, I also had meetings with the President and Vice-President of India, the Minister of Health and Family Welfare as well as the Leader of Opposition. These meetings served as an enabling platform for the Mauritian side to discuss issues of mutual interest and seek the support of the Indian Authorities on a wide range of issues such as security, economic and technical cooperation as well as capacity building. Madam Speaker, my State visit fused with “civilisational symbolism with strategic purpose”, if I may put it that way. It was an opportunity to project a story of enduring civilisational bonds. Since our independence, India’s role has been instrumental as an unflinching partner in our development. My visit has confirmed the privileged relations between our two countries! It is a matter of great pride for our country to have become the strategic partner of a country like India, which is projected to be by 2027 the third economic power in the world. Madam Speaker, I take this opportunity to express my profound gratitude to the Government of India and to Shri Narendra Modi for the continued support for the development of Mauritius.

Thank you. Yes!

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Madam Speaker, the hon. Prime Minister may not be aware but I was invited by the Speaker of Parliament in India and I had met the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Vice President whom he met, and we had technical support for the live translation of Creole and French in Parliament.

(Interruptions)

An hon. Member: Question!

Five or six staff from the Mauritius National Assembly have been trained free of charge in India. All paid for by India. Madam Speaker, I note that the Prime Minister…

(Interruptions)

One moment. Now that you have said that, I can understand. Will you please put your supplementary question?

Yes, thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, the hon. Prime Minister has replied for the Prime Minister’s Office. We note that there have been persons from state-owned enterprises who have accompanied and the Ministers, etc. May we know the total cost as per the question incurred by the Government of Mauritius, including for by state-owned companies on the payment of airfare, accommodation, per diem, etc.? He has answered for the PMO.

I have answered for the government side, but for the private sector, they paid everything themselves.

He was saying you just answered for PMO. You have answered for the whole.

Yes.

Okay. Now, before you put your second question…

(Interruptions)

Members, I have forgotten to tell you that the Table has been advised that PQ B/952 will be replied by Dr. the hon. Prime Minister, time permitting, PQ B/911 will be replied by

25 the hon. Minister of Housing and Lands, and PQ B/913 will be replied by hon. Minister of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation. By the way, there is a PQ that has been withdrawn. I will tell you in a minute. I just want to tell you – I do not have a very good voice today. Please forgive me. Question! BANK OF MAURITIUS – DR. R. S, FORMER GOVERNOR – RESIGNATION COMPENSATION