India, Feb. 23 -- Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam on Friday announced his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi will visit the nation as the Guest of Honour for the National Day celebrations.

Navin Ramgoolam made the announcement in the country's Parliament.

"I have great pleasure to inform the House that following my invitation, Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, has kindly agreed to be the Guest of Honour for our National Day celebrations," the Mauritian PM was quoted as saying by ANI.

"He has agreed to be here as our special guest," he said.

He said Modi's upcoming visit is a testimony of the close ties shared between the two nations.

Mauritius will celebrate the National Day on March 12.

A key reason for the special tie...