Seychelles and India have agreed on a new package of cooperation during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Victoria where he and President Patrick Herminie exchanged several agreements aimed at deepening ties across key sectors.
Modi is visiting the Indian Ocean archipelago from 27 to 29 June, marking a significant moment in a relationship that has grown steadily since diplomatic relations were established 50 years ago.
According to a statement by the Seychelles government, the two leaders held official talks at State House on Sunday where they reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral cooperation and committed to expanding joint work in health, education, digital transformation, renewable energy, maritime security, defence, agriculture and capacity building.
They also discussed regional security challenges in the Indian Ocean, including illegal fishing, drug trafficking and piracy.
Modi reaffirmed India’s support for Seychelles’ development priorities and welcomed progress under India’s Special Economic Package.
The leaders released a commemorative logo marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties before witnessing the exchange of multiple agreements and memoranda of understanding.
These covered capacity building, digital payments through UPI, health, agriculture, shipping, space cooperation, extradition and a new line of credit worth INR 1,250 crore.
India also announced additional support in food security, infrastructure, vocational training, maritime security and defence while Seychelles confirmed it will join the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.
Modi later on Sunday addressed an extraordinary sitting of the National Assembly, becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to do so.
He highlighted the historical friendship between the two democracies and said shared values of rule of law and people‑centred governance underpin a partnership that spans development cooperation, technology, innovation, maritime security and institutional strengthening.
He called for enhanced parliamentary exchanges to complement government‑to‑government cooperation.
The Indian Prime Minister also met the leader of the opposition in Seychelles Bernard Georges, with both expressing strong support for further strengthening India-Seychelles relations.
JN/APA