Dharam Gokhool

Dharambeer Gokhool (born 25 October 1949) is a Mauritian politician who has been serving as the president of Mauritius since 6 December 2024. He won the 2024 presidential election with the backing of the Labour Party.

Early life and education Gokhool was born on 25 October 1949 in the village of Plaine des Roches, Mauritius to a Hindu Ravived (local terminology for Chamars) family. His father, Manilall Gokhool, worked as a laborer, while his mother, Koshila Gokhool, was a homemaker. He grew up in a rural, working-class household and was encouraged by his family to pursue his studies.

He attended Roches Noires Government School, where he was considered an exceptional student, and then Mapou Government School. In 1975 he graduated from the University of Delhi in India before returning to Mauritius.

Career Gokhool began his political career in 1976. In 1980, he joined the Mauritian Militant Movement (MMM) party. In 1982, he won election to the National Assembly as part of the MMM/Mauritius Socialist Party (PSM) alliance which won a landslide victory that year. After the MMM and PSM split, Gokhool stayed with the MMM and ran for re-election in 1983, but lost his bid for the Piton-Rivière-du-Rempart seat. In 1991, he returned to the legislature by winning a seat under the MMM/Militant Socialist Movement (MSM) alliance. However, during his term he defected to the Labour Party.

Presidency

As President, his role is largely ceremonial and constitutional, since executive power in Mauritius rests with the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Gokhool has emphasised themes of education, unity, and equality, pledging to serve as a guardian of the Constitution and a unifying presence for all Mauritians. He officially took the oath of office on 7 December 2024 at the State House, Reduit, in a ceremony attended by the Prime Minister, Cabinet members, opposition leaders, and representatives of various socio-cultural organisations and awarded as the Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean. In the same session, Robert Hungley was elected as his vice president.

On 11 March 2025, Indian PM Narendra Modi met Mauritian President Dharam Gokhool during an official state visit to Mauritius, a meeting that underscored the historic, cultural, and strategic partnership between the two nations. At a ceremonial event in Port Louis, President Gokhool conferred on Modi the Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean (GCSK), Mauritius’s highest civilian honor, in recognition of his role in strengthening bilateral ties. The meeting symbolised the shared heritage of India and Mauritius, rooted in the large Indian-origin community on the island, while also reaffirming commitments to cooperation in trade, education, maritime security, and cultural exchange. For President Gokhool, presiding over the ceremony was also significant, as it reflected Mauritius’s continuing role as a bridge between Africa and India, while for Modi, the honor marked a deepening of India’s influence in the Indian Ocean region.During his visit, Modi also visited the State House and gifted Gokhool gangajal from the 2025 Prayag Maha Kumbh Mela, makhana, and an OCI card. Dharam Gokhool also showed Narendra Modi the Ayurvedic garden at the State House. PM Navin Ramgoolam also attended the State House.

Awards and decorations