New Delhi: Mauritian Prime Minister Anerood Jugnauth on January 8 said the conference of the Parliamentarians of Indian Origin would boost ties between India and their countries giving a "new dimension to it".

"This get together of people whose ancestors came from this country would bring those countries closer to India and give a fillip to bilateral relations," Jugnauth, who is here on a week-long visit, said.

The Mauritian leader, who was accorded a ceremonial welcome on the forecourt of the Rashtrapathi Bhavan along with his wife Sarojini Devi, said "this visit would further cement ties between the two countries and give an added impetus to it".

Jugnauth, who will be the chief guest at the 'Pravasi Bharatiya Divas' was received by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and his Cabinet colleagues.

He will call on President A P J Abdul Kalam and Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and have meetings with Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani, External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha and Defence Minister George Fernandes.

Jugnauth will inaugurate the second conference of Parliamentarians of Indian Origin on January 10.

The visit by Jugnauth after a gap of two years will provide another opportunity for both countries to underscore the "special brotherly ties" and consolidate these relations at a time when the two countries are entering a new phase of co-operation in high technology areas.

PTI