India, Mauritius to resolve DTAC soon

India and Mauritius have decided to resolve contentious issues surrounding proposed changes to the Double Taxation Avoidance Convention (DTAC) very soon.

The Joint Working Group (JWG) on DTAC has met twice in the last year and an outcome is expected during the next JWG for which a date is yet to be announced.

This is one of the several steps announced to strengthen bilateral ties by President of India Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister of Mauritius Navinchandra Ramgoolam on Tuesday morning at the residence of Ramgoolam after detailed deliberations between both sides.

Addressing the media, the Indian President said that the deliberations provided an opportunity for both sides to discuss all issues with the aim of finding a mutually acceptable and beneficial outcome on DTAC. “India looks forward to holding the next meeting of the JWG soon in New Delhi. We also look forward to the holding of the 11th India-Mauritius Joint Commission Meeting,” the president said.

It was also decided that the bilateral Line of Credit between the two sides will be used as a vehicle to upgrade economic and commercial exchanges, including the possible financing of projects that will improve the quality of life of Mauritian citizens. The Indo-Mauritian cooperation will also extend to areas such as exploration of marine resources, renewable energy and environment friendly technologies.

The president also added that the India and Mauritius will further enhance exchanges in the fields of health, higher education, information technology, science and technology, tourism, textiles, agro-processing, culture and legal cooperation. He was particularly happy about the three MOUs pertaining to health and medicine, tourism and cooperation as well as in the area of senior citizens and persons with disabilities that were signed in his presence.

India also increased the training slots for Mauritius under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation programme to 170 for civilian programmes and 100 for defence-related programmes. There is also a rise in the number of Mauritian students availing the 100 educational scholarships offered by the Government of India annually.