From Aapravasi Ghat to cybercity. Indian PM Manmohan Singh?s visit to Mauritius lasted three days but none was more symbolic than last Friday. It started with emotion and finished with reason, providing a recap of the close ties existing between Mauritius and India. A historically cultural link has been transformed into a powerful economic and political partnership.

?I pay tribute to all those who have climbed these steps over the centuries and who have, through their hard work, created a jewel ? Mauritius ? which shines today and will shine even brighter in the future.? Singh wrote these words in the Aapravasi Ghat visitors? book after an emotionally charged visit. This site is the umbilical cord linking Mauritius to India: this is where Indian immigrant workers first discovered a country where gold didn?t grow under stones, as recruiters had claimed, but where blood, sweat and tears were needed to create a gem.

Once the trip down memory lane was over, Manmohan Singh turned to present matters. India and Mauritius have been close allies over the past decades. Too close even sometimes, especially when Indian envoys allowed themselves to interfere into local politics. However, no one can deny India?s contribution to the country?s economic progress. On Friday afternoon, Manmohan Singh opened up a whole new chapter with the official inauguration of the cybertower, leading Mauritius onto the information superhighway.

?ICT is an excellent platform to enhance our economic partnership?, said Singh. India has loaned out $100 million for the construction of the cybertower, the cornerstone of a future cyberisland. Mauritius has still a long way to go to achieve its ICT dreams but India has promised to help every step of the way. It will start by financing the building of the third cybertower, which is still at design stage. India?s mastery of the ICT industry should help Mauritius thrive in this lucrative, but highly competitive, industry.

<B>The big news was the return of Air India to Mauritius after 19 years. The Indian airline will fly yo Mauritius three times a week, possibly en route to South Africa. Air Mauritius has also gained significant new rights. </B>

Across the world, Manmohan Singh is hailed as the voice of reason. He is the ambitious economist who turned a crisis into an opportunity to overhaul India?s economy. The Indian PM, dressed throughout in his trade-mark turban and traditional garments, confirmed his reputation as the voice of reason when he signed four agreements with the Mauritian government.

The memorandum of understanding on air access is a shining example of the new partnership. Previous agreements had been detrimental to Mauritius but the new pact made sure of mutual gains. The big news was the return of Air India to Mauritius after 19 years.

The Indian airline will fly to Mauritius three times a week, possibly en route to South-Africa. Air Mauritius has also gained significant new rights. The national airline will be able to fly to Karachi and Shanghai or Beijing via Indian airports, namely Chennai or New Delhi. The fifth freedom rights will allow Air Mauritius to sell tickets for those travelling between China and India as well as between India and Pakistan.

Another leap forward was the signing of a free trade agreement (FTA). This will boost trade between the two countries even further. In this case, however, India stands to gain more. Last year, it exported goods and services worth Rs 7 billion to Mauritius. Its imports of Mauritian products were only worth Rs 500 million. The FTA will allow an even bigger presence of Indian goods on the local market and could even counteract China?s ambitions to become Mauritius?s biggest supplier.

The other two agreements concerned the fight against terror and environmental issues. Talks between Manmohan Singh?s delegation and the Mauritian government paved the way for new collaborations. India has promised to provide $10 million for the Baie-du-Tombeau sewerage project. The controversial double taxation agreement was also debated, albeit in camera, as the subject was too delicate. Since no new deals have been signed, the treaty remains in force. The Mauritian offshore can heave a sigh of relief. It is the main channel for foreign direct investment in India: more than Rs 240 billion in the last 13 years.

Manmohan Singh also had time to inaugurate the Swami Vivekananda Centre at Pailles. This gem, also built with Indian technical and financial help, is a regional showcase. India wanted to show off its expertise to Africa. It has succeeded.

Long waited but often aborted, the Indian PM?s visit finally happened. The historic trip ended with a show of affection to the Mauritian population. ?I love you for who you are?, he said. Big brother has given Mauritius new tools for an even brighter future. The best things come to those who wait?