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Vajpayee leaves for Mauritius

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today left for the Indian Ocean island nation of Mauritius, where he would be the chief guest at its 33rd independence day celebrations on Sunday.

He was seen off at the airport by Home Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani, Defence Minister George Fernandes and other senior officials.

Minister of State for External Affairs Ajit Kumar Panja and a high-level team of officials accompanied the prime minister. The delegation would be joined by Minister of State for Small Scale Industries Vasundhara Raje who is already in Mauritius.

A memorandum of understanding and some agreements relating to trade, oceanography and information technology would be signed during the prime minister's sojourn there.

The principal agreement would be signed on trade, which envisages the setting up of a joint trade committee and for strengthening of economic and commercial relations between the two countries on the principles of mutual benefit and interest.

Vajpayee's visit, at the invitation of Mauritian Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, is in the backdrop of friendly and cordial relations with both countries having a common view on all major issues.

UNI

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