‘No riders for cooperation,’ says Modi in jibe at China
New chapter in Mauritius ties: PM inaugurates SC building
In a veiled barb at China, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday told his counterpart in the Indian Ocean nation of Mauritius that India’s development cooperation “does not come with any conditions” and is “not influenced by political or commercial considerations”. He added that India also “respects” its partner nations.
The Prime Minister was addressing a virtual event of the inauguration of a new Supreme Court building of Mauritius. Mr Modi and Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth jointly inaugurated the new Supreme Court building at Port Louis through video link. The building has been built with Indian financial grant assistance.
The new building in Port Louis is a symbol of our cooperation and shared values, Mr Modi said.
PM Modi also referred to the lessons of History that “in the name of development partnerships, nations were forced into dependence partnerships” which “gave rise to colonial and imperial rule” and “global power blocks”.
Observers point out that India’s approach is being seen in contrast to that of China whose infrastructure projects in smaller countries have reportedly led to these nations accumulating large debts owed to Beijing.
The new Supreme Court building in Mauritius is the “first India-assisted infrastructure project within the capital city of Port Louis to be inaugurated after the Covid pandemic” and this “landmark project has been completed with grant assistance of $28.12 million from the Government of India,” New Delhi meanwhile said in a statement.
Speaking on the occasion, he said, “For India, the most fundamental principle in development cooperation is respecting our partners. This sharing of development lessons is our only motivation. That is why our development cooperation does not come with any conditions. It is not influenced by political or commercial considerations.”