President Gokhool warmly welcomed a high-level delegation from the National Defence College (NDC), New Delhi, India, for a courtesy call at State House this morning.
The 15-member delegation was led by Air Marshal Manish Kumar Gupta, AVSM, Commandant of the National Defence College, and comprised senior officers from the Indian Civil Services and Defence Forces, as well as military officers from Armenia, Ethiopia, France, Bhutan and Nigeria, currently undergoing training at the NDC.
They were accompanied by H.E. Mrs Aparna Ganesan, Deputy High Commissioner of India.
The visit formed part of the delegation’s study tour to Mauritius and provided an opportunity for warm and insightful exchanges on the longstanding and special relationship between Mauritius and India.
President Gokhool highlighted the deep historical, cultural and people-to-people ties that bind the two countries. He also reflected on discussions held during the 9th Indian Ocean Conference in April 2026 on maritime security and collective stewardship for the Indian Ocean region, which was attended by Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, India’s Minister of External Affairs.
The Head of State further shared perspectives on the history of Château du Réduit, the institution of the Presidency, and his role and responsibilities within Mauritius’ parliamentary democracy.
For his part, Air Marshal Manish Kumar Gupta, AVSM, spoke about the importance of the NDC’s foreign study tours in fostering a deeper understanding of strategic cultures – the historical experiences, values and institutions that shape nations’ approaches to security and international relations in an increasingly interconnected world.
The exchange also inspired reflections on leadership, lifelong learning and nation-building.
Drawing from his academic and political journey, President Gokhool emphasised the value of remaining open-minded, intellectually curious and committed to service.
He also highlighted the enduring relevance of Rabindranath Tagore’s vision of education, rooted in universal humanism and mutual understanding, as a foundation for responsible citizenship and nation-building.