Former prime minister and president of Mauritius, Anerood Jugnauth has died, aged 91.
“It is with deep sadness and greater regret that we announce the death of Sir Anerood Jugnauth on June 3 as a result of illness,’ Mauritius President Prithvirajsing Roopun announced last night.
The Mauritius government has declared two days of mourning. His funeral is being held on Friday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Jugnauth as a “statesman and a proud Pravasi Bharatiya’.
“Padma Vibhushan Sir Anerood Jugnauth, a tall leader & statesman, was the architect of modern Mauritius. A proud Pravasi Bharatiya, he helped forge the special bilateral relationship that will benefit from his legacy. Condolences to his family & the people of Mauritius. Om Shanti,” Modi said in a condolence message.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also condoled the passing away of the Mauritian leader.
“Deeply grieved to learn about the passing away of Sir Anerood Jugnauth, former President & Prime Minister of Mauritius.
A towering leader and a special friend of India. Still recall his warmth and graciousness the last time I called on him,” the EAM said in a tweet.
Jugnauth was elected prime minister for the first of six times in 1982. He also serve two terms as president in a 35-year-long political career.
He was credited with steering the island nation’s economic transformation from a agricultural country to one of Africa’s richest.
