Modi Mauritius Visit Turns Cultural Spectacle with Bihari Geet Gawai

Port Louis - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Mauritius was marked by a grand traditional Bihari welcome, featuring the folk performance ‘Geet-Gawai.’ The cultural reception highlights India’s strong historical ties with the island nation, which has a large Indian diaspora, especially of Bihari descent.  

Geet-Gawai, a UNESCO-recognized cultural tradition, is a vibrant musical performance blending Bhojpuri folk music with devotional elements. The enthusiastic welcome underscored the deep-rooted connections between India and Mauritius, with Modi using the occasion to emphasize shared heritage and cultural diplomacy. The Indian community in Mauritius, which comprises nearly 70 percent of the population, has long maintained its linguistic and cultural ties with India, making Modi’s visit especially significant.  

Beyond the cultural festivities, the visit carried substantial diplomatic weight. India and Mauritius have been strengthening their strategic and economic partnerships, particularly in trade, maritime security, and infrastructure development. Modi’s presence also signals India’s intent to deepen its influence in the Indian Ocean region, countering China’s expanding footprint.  

Several agreements were signed during the visit, including those related to defense cooperation, digital innovation, and financial services. India has been a key development partner for Mauritius, assisting in building key infrastructure projects such as the Metro Express and the new Supreme Court building.