In Mauritania, Murmu says diaspora vital for India to achieve her aims

The Indian diaspora has a critical role to play in helping India become a developed nation by 2047, President Droupadi Murmu said after reaching Mauritania on the second leg of a three-nation tour of Africa.

"We are rapidly moving towards our goal of making India a ‘Developed India’ by the year 2047, and our diaspora family is a very important factor in this process," Murmu told an Indian community reception in the Mauritania capital Nouakchott.

Murmu, the first Indian leader to visit Mauritania since its independence in 1960, flew into the country on Wednesday from Algeria. Her final leg of the three-nation African tour will take her to Malawi.

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MoUs between India, Mauritania

India and Mauritania on Thursday signed several MoUs including on training diplomats and visa exemption. Murmu and her Mauritania counterpart Mohamed Ould Ghazouani also discussed ways to strengthen their relationship further.

The other areas of MoUs covered cultural exchanges and foreign office consultations.

Highlighting the potential for India-Mauritania cooperation, Murmu noted that India could contribute to Mauritania’s development in various sectors.

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President salutes diaspora

These included human resource development, infrastructure, agriculture, health, education, skill development and digital innovation.

On Wednesday, the Indian president told the Indian community: "You are all an important part of this process of collaboration.”

"There are many similarities between the culture of Mauritania and India. As clothing, especially women's clothing, is similar; there is respect for ancestors; family ties are strong, and social values are taught to children," she said.

Murmu praises Indian community

Murmu expressed her pleasure at being among the Indian diaspora, acknowledging their contributions to both nations.

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"It is indeed a pleasure and an honour for me to be present in Mauritania today, amidst the small but vibrant and active Indian community," she said.

The number of registered Indians with the Indian embassy is less than 100. But unofficial estimates say the number of Indians in the country could be around 150.

Indo-Mauritania trade

India’s main exports to Mauritania are cereals and related products, pharma, plastic products, cotton, ceramic, Iron and steel articles, boilers and related mechanical appliances, electrical, chemical products and non-railway vehicles.