India 2018

India and the World 319
Mauritius: India and Mauritius relations experienced an intensive engagement
keeping with the traditional close political, economic, cultural and diaspora
linkages. A number of Ministerial level visits further strengthened the traditional
linkages. The Protocol to amend the Double Taxation Avoidance Convention
(DTAC) was signed, India committed a US$ 353 million grant package for
priority infrastructure projects in Mauritius and discussions began on the
conclusion of the CECPA (Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and
Partnership Agreement). The people-to-people emphasis in the relationship
was underscored through a highly successful Festival of India in Mauritius.
Prime Minister of Mauritius visited India in May 2017. Several important
agreements, including an MoU for setting up of Civil Services College in
Mauritius, Agreement on Maritime Security, MoU for Research and Education
in Marine Sciences and Technology and a Dollar Credit Line Agreement Between
SBM Mauritius Infrastructure Development Co. Ltd and EXIM of India were
concluded during the visit.
Myanmar: India and Myanmar share friendly relations rooted through the
shared historical, cultural and ethnic ties. The bilateral relations have been
further strengthened by the regular exchanges of visits, including at the highest
levels. Indian Prime Minister paid a state visit to Myanmar in September 2017
during which several agreements were signed in the fields of health, culture,
capacity building, maritime security and collaboration between key institutions.
India is committed to meeting Myanmar's developmental needs through
development projects, including training, provision of expertise, LOC and/or
grants-in-aid.
Nepal: India-Nepal friendship and cooperation is characterized by open borders,
age-old people-to-people ties and multi-faceted socio-economic interaction. The
relationship derives its strength from shared history, common cultural ethos,
trade and economic partnership and intense people to people contacts.
Developmental partnership remains one of the main pillars of India-Nepal
bilateral cooperation. A number of economic and connectivity projects are in
different phases of implementation. External Affairs Minister of India visited
Nepal to attend the BIMSTEC Foreign Ministerial Meeting in August 2017.
Pakistan: The period under review continued to witness efforts by Government
to persuade Pakistan of the benefits of cooperative relations. But these efforts
continued to be undermined by continued cross-border terrorism launched from
Pakistani soil or from territory under Pakistan's control, large scale ceasefire
violations by Pakistani Security Forces coupled with unrelenting efforts to
infiltrate terrorists into India from across the Line of Control (LoC)/International
Border (IB). Stalling of investigations by Pakistan viz. the Pathankot Airbase
Terror Attack investigation and the Mumbai Terror Attack trial were major
hindrances. The cross border terrorism emanating from Pakistan affected the
wider region and denied a conducive environment for the SAARC Summit to
be held as scheduled for November 2016 at Islamabad. Indian diplomacy was