India, Sept. 11 -- India on Thursday unveiled an economic assistance package of $680 million for Mauritius, including budgetary support of $25 million, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Mauritian counterpart Navinchandra Ramgoolam pledged to work together for maritime security and a free, open and stable Indian Ocean region.

Modi hosted Ramgoolam in his parliamentary constituency of Varanasi to emphasise the age-old links between Mauritius and "girmitiyas" or indentured labourers sent to the east African country from impoverished rural areas of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh in the 19th century. Ramgoolam is on an eight-day return visit following Modi's trip to Mauritius in March.

Several components of India's special economic package ar...