India, March 12 -- The Government of India issued the following news release:

President of Mauritius, His Excellency Dharambir Gokul ji, Prime Minister His Excellency Navin Chandra Ramgoolam ji, Sisters and brothers from Mauritius,

I express my heartfelt gratitude for being conferred the highest National Award of Mauritius. This is not just my honour. It is the honour of 1.4 billion Indians. It is a tribute to the centuries-old cultural and historical bonds of kinship between India and Mauritius. It is an acknowledgment of our shared commitment to regional peace, progress, security and sustainable development. And, it is a symbol of the shared hopes and aspirations of the Global South. I accept this Award with full humility and gratitude....