Ganesh Kendale
NEW DELHI: India and Mauritania on Thursday signed several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) during President Droupadi Murmu’s visit to the African nation.
The MoUs were signed in the presence of President Murmu and Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, and aimed at strengthening diplomatic ties between the two nations.
This visit marks the first visit by an Indian President to Mauritania.President Murmu arrived in Mauritania as part of her three-nation tour, which includes visits to Algeria, Mauritania, and Malawi, from October 13 to 19.
“President Droupadi Murmu met and held talks with President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani of Mauritania at the Presidential Palace in Nouakchott. Both leaders discussed ways to further strengthen the relationship. Four MoUs in the areas of training of diplomats, cultural exchange, visa exemption and Foreign Office consultations were signed and exchanged on the occasion,” President of India’s official X handle said.
Among the MoUs signed is an agreement for consultations between the foreign ministries of India and Mauritania. According to an official statement, this agreement aims to enhance bilateral relations in areas of mutual interest, contributing to international peace and security. It will facilitate the exchange of opinions and consultations between the two countries at various levels.
The agreement also aims to facilitate cooperation in research on foreign policy issues, exchange of archival documents, and preparation of compendia of documents and materials related to bilateral relations.
Another MoU was signed between the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service in Delhi and the Diplomatic Academy of ministry of foreign affairs operation and Mauritanian Abroad of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania.
This agreement will enable cooperation in mutually beneficial areas, including the exchange of information on the structure and content of training programs for diplomats, identification of experts in agreed areas, and the promotion of contacts and exchange of diplomats, faculty members, and experts.
India and Mauritania have also agreed on the exemption from visa requirements for holders of diplomatic and official/service passports. This will allow citizens of India and Mauritania who hold such passports to enter each other’s countries for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without a visa.
Furthermore, a MoU regarding the India cultural exchange program was signed with Mauritania for the years 2024-2028. This agreement aims to strengthen the friendly links and deepen cultural relations between the two countries, particularly in the fields of music, dance, theatre, art, archaeology, archives, library, and museum.
India opened its Embassy in Nouakchott on June 21, 2021, and the first resident ambassador of India to Mauritania assumed charge on May 3 this year.
