Port Luis:
President Pranab Mukherjee today arrived in Port Luis in Mauritius on a three-day visit aiming to boost bilateral ties with the country that has 70 per cent Indian-origin people in its population.
The President will be the chief guest at the national day celebrations of the island nation tomorrow.
He was received by Mauritius Prime Minister Navin C Ramgoolam upon his arrival amid ceremonial 21 gun salute.
India and Mauritius will sign several bilateral pacts in social sectors, including health and tourism, during the President's visit. Both the countries enjoy close historical relations and New Delhi has termed the ties as "unique, special and extra ordinary".
India gives highest importance to its relations with Mauritius as 70 per cent of its people are Indian origin and 38 per cent its Foreign Direct Investment comes from that country, in addition to its geo strategic location, Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs Sudhir Vyas has said.
During his visit, the President will have meetings with Mauritius President Rajkeswur Purryag, Mauritian Prime Minister, Speaker of the National Assembly Abdool Razack Peeroo and Chief Justice YKJ Yeung Sik Yuen.
President's Press Secretary Venu Rajamony has said the President was looking forward to the visit and greatly honoured to be chief guest at the national day celebration of Mauritius.
This is President Pranab Mukherjee's second visit abroad after assuming the office of President. Last week, he had visited Bangladesh.