Diaspora key to India's 2047 development goal, President in Mauritania

Emphasising India's goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047, President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday acknowledged the crucial role of the Indian diaspora in achieving this vision while addressing the community members in the Mauritanian capital. "We are rapidly moving towards our goal of making India a ‘Developed India’ by the year 2047, and our diaspora family is a very important factor in this process," Murmu said at a community reception organised Nouakchott.The president also underscored the cultural similarities between Mauritania and India, pointing out shared values.“There are many similarities between the culture of Mauritania and India. As clothing, especially women’s clothing, is similar; there is respect for ancestors; family ties are strong, and social values are taught to children,” she observed.Murmu expressed her pleasure at being among the Indian diaspora, acknowledging their contributions to both nations.

मॉरिटानिया और भारत की संस्कृति में अनेक समानताएं हैं। जैसे पहनावा, विशेषकर महिलाओं के परिधान, एक जैसे हैं; पूर्वजों के लिए सम्मान है; पारिवारिक संबंध मजबूत हैं, संयुक्त परिवार हैं; बच्चों को सामाजिक मूल्य सिखाए जाते हैं। pic.twitter.com/BLIs6crEQt

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) October 16, 2024

The president arrived at Nouakchott earlier in the day on the second leg of her three-nation visit to Africa. It is the first visit to Mauritania by an Indian leader at the highest level since the African nation won independence in 1960.Indian presence is evident in the mining, power, pharmaceuticals, oil and gas exploration, construction and agro-industrial sectors. Majority are expats working in Indian and foreign companies in Mauritania. Some Indians are also working in the UN and other multilateral bodies.India’s main exports to Mauritania are cereals and related products, pharma, plastic products, cotton, ceramic, Iron and steel articles, boilers and related mechanical appliances, electrical, chemical products, and non-railway vehicles. Mauritania’s main exports to India include iron and steel, copper, aluminum, and electrical machinery.