Judicial Bridges Strengthened: CJI Gavai’s Mauritius Visit Marks Step Toward Transnational Cooperation
(By Syed Ali Taher Abedi)
Port Louis, October 2: Hon’ble Justice Bhushan Ramakrishna Gavai, Chief Justice of India, commenced a three-day official visit to Mauritius at the invitation of the Hon’ble Chief Justice of Mauritius, Mrs. Rehana Bibi Mungly-Gulbul, underscoring the deep-rooted historical and judicial ties between the two democracies.
On his arrival, the Chief Justice, accompanied by his family, joined the Gandhi Jayanti celebrations at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute (MGI), Port Louis, where he paid floral tributes to the Father of the Nation on his 156th birth anniversary. The visit to MGI—an institution jointly established by India and Mauritius to promote education and Indian culture—signified the enduring cultural connect shared by the two countries.
High-Level Interactions on Judicial Cooperation
During the visit, the Chief Justice of India called on H.E. Mr. Dharambeer Gokhool, President of Mauritius, and held discussions on the multifaceted partnership between the two nations, with an emphasis on judicial collaboration, legal education, and institutional exchanges. Both leaders acknowledged the vital role of judiciary-to-judiciary engagement in strengthening democratic governance.
In his meeting with Dr. the Hon. Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Prime Minister of Mauritius, Justice Gavai reflected on the invaluable people-to-people bond that anchors the India-Mauritius relationship. Prime Minister Ramgoolam fondly recalled his recent state visit to India and reaffirmed his country’s commitment to expanding legal and cultural cooperation.
The Chief Justice also interacted with the Hon. Paul Raymond Berenger, Deputy Prime Minister of Mauritius, with discussions highlighting the historical and cultural legacy binding the two nations.
Judicial Diplomacy and People-to-People Connect
Later in the evening, the Chief Justice of Mauritius hosted an official dinner in honour of Justice Gavai. Senior dignitaries from the Mauritian judiciary and government were present, reflecting the stature of the visit as a bridge for fostering judicial diplomacy.
The exchanges reinforced the role of the judiciary as not only a guardian of constitutional values within each country but also as a vehicle of international goodwill and cooperation. Justice Gavai’s visit carries forward the tradition of judicial outreach, cementing bilateral engagement that spans law, culture, and education.
As both nations continue to deepen their historical partnership, this high-level engagement signalled the judiciary’s crucial role in nurturing democratic institutions and furthering the shared vision of justice and rule of law across borders.
