The President Mr Pranab Mukherjee returned to New Delhi last night after a three-day state visit to Mauritius where he was chief guest for the 45th Independence Day celebrations.

Speaking to media persons on board Air India One on his way back, Mr Mukherjee said he had a rich, wide-ranging and useful exchange of views with the leadership of Mauritius on issues of bilateral, regional and global interests in a very friendly atmosphere. He said there is convergence of views between India and Mauritius on all issues.

Replying to questions by the media on the double tax avoidance agreement, the President said that this is an old issue and that the differences have narrowed down.

Our correspondent reports that President Pranab Mukherjee’s three-day state visit to Mauritius has been fruitful not only in terms of MOUs signed in the new areas of senior citizens and disabled, health and medicine and tourism, but also in the dialogue covering the vast canvas of the bilateral relationship and strengthening the institutional framework for the relationship to grow.

The India-Mauritius partnership is founded in the shared struggles of our ancestors for liberty and dignity. The friendship has endured through time and global and regional developments.

President Pranab Mukherjee retuned to India convinced that India and Mauritius can further build on the existing multifaceted, mutually beneficial relationship.