(You can now subscribe to our(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channelNew Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday assured Mauritius of India 's consistent support on the issue of the Chagos Archipelago in line with New Delhi's principled stand on decolonisation and support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations.The comments by Jaishankar, who is currently on a two-day visit to Mauritius, are important since the sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago in the Indian Ocean is disputed between Mauritius and the United Kingdom.Mauritius has repeatedly stated that the archipelago is part of its territory and that the UK's claim is a violation of United Nations resolutions banning the dismemberment of colonial territories before independence.Jaishankar said that during his meeting with the Mauritius PM, they discussed various aspects of bilateral ties, including the Development Partnership, Defence and Maritime Corporation, economic and trade ties, and people-to-people linkages. "Mauritius is part of India's Neighbourhood First Policy, of our Vision SAGAR, of our Africa Forward Initiative, as well as of our commitment to the Global South. In addition, we share the closest of bonds from history and kinship," the minister said.He handed over the first Overseas Citizen of India cards to two of seventh-generation Indian-origin Mauritians. Jaishankar informed that the two sides have virtually inaugurated 12 community projects, and with this, 37 out of 96 such community projects have become operational in the span of just one year.
