PM Narendra Modi chief guest at Mauritius' National Day celebrations

PORT LOUIS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the chief guest at Mauritius' 47th National Day celebrations today where Indian navy helicopters were part of the impressive parade.

Modi, who arrived here yesterday as part of his three- nation tour of Indian Ocean countries, was welcomed by his Mauritian counterpart Anerood Jugnauth at Champs de Mars.

Mauritius President Rajkeswur Purryag also attended the event.

Apart from Indian naval helicopters, choppers from the Maldivian police, Dornier aircraft and French Transall military transport plane took part in the fly-past.

Indian naval band also took part in the parade which lasted nearly an hour.

There were demonstration of close combat military techniques by special mobile forces of Mauritius.

Yesterday soon after his arrival here, Prime Minister Modi had said he was excited about the National Day celebrations, a date which is special to all Indians because Mahatma Gandhi began his Dandi March on the same date in 1930.

He said attending such events reflect the richness of bilateral relationship.