MoU between India and Mauritius in the field of Rural Development and Poverty Alleviation

The Union Cabinet has approved signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Mauritius.

Details:

• The MoU will help to establish a framework for cooperation between the National Development Unit, Prime Minister’s Office of the Republic of Mauritius and the Ministry of Rural Development of the Republic of India in the sphere of rural development.
• The MoU will encourage cooperation in the field of rural development and capacity building on the basis of equality and mutual benefit between both countries.
• Under the MoU, a Joint Committee on Cooperation on Rural Development will be established which will meet alternatively in both countries on mutually agreed dates.
• Both countries have agreed to coordinate and facilitate appropriate technical cooperation, including the access to Indian expertise institutions that can assist in fulfilling the objectives of this MoU, exchange of relevant information and documents in the sphere of rural development.
• The MoU also facilitates transfer of latest technology, state of the art equipment and materials, and share best practices.

Background:

Both India and Mauritius have a large segment of their population living in rural areas and are pre-dominantly dependent on agriculture and its allied activities for their livelihoods. The Ministry of Rural Development plays a pivotal role in the overall development strategy of rural areas of the country.