New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to deepening its strategic partnership with Seychelles during his three-day State Visit to the island nation, highlighting the Indian Ocean as a region of shared peace, security, sustainability and economic opportunity.
- India Envisions the Indian Ocean as an ‘Ocean of Opportunity’
- Maritime Security Remains a Key Pillar of Bilateral Relations
- High-Level Delegation Reviews Bilateral Cooperation
- PM Modi Receives Seychelles’ Highest Presidential Honour
- Ceremonial Welcome Reflects Strong Diplomatic Ties
- Guest of Honour at Seychelles’ Golden Jubilee Celebrations
- India Boosts Seychelles’ Maritime Capabilities
- Strengthening a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
Following delegation-level talks with Seychelles President Patrick Herminie, both leaders reviewed the progress of bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on regional and global developments, with a strong focus on maritime security, the blue economy, digital transformation and sustainable development.
India Envisions the Indian Ocean as an ‘Ocean of Opportunity’
During the joint discussions, Prime Minister Modi reiterated India’s vision of transforming the Indian Ocean into an “Ocean of Opportunity,” where economic prosperity, maritime security and sustainable development reinforce one another through partnerships built on mutual trust and shared interests.
He emphasized that India and Seychelles have a common responsibility to ensure that the Indian Ocean remains peaceful, secure and resilient while promoting inclusive economic growth across the region.
The Prime Minister also announced India’s willingness to share its expertise in Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) with Seychelles and explore new avenues for industrial collaboration, digital transformation and improved connectivity.
Maritime Security Remains a Key Pillar of Bilateral Relations
Defence and maritime cooperation emerged as one of the central themes of the visit.
Prime Minister Modi stated that India’s security interests are closely linked with those of Seychelles and reaffirmed New Delhi’s commitment to supporting the island nation in strengthening its maritime capabilities.
The discussions reflected the growing strategic importance of the Indian Ocean Region amid evolving geopolitical and security challenges.
High-Level Delegation Reviews Bilateral Cooperation
The delegation-level talks brought together senior leaders from both countries.
The Indian delegation included:
- External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar
- National Security Advisor Ajit Doval
- Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri
- MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal
The Seychelles delegation included:
- Vice-President Sebastien Pillay
- Wallace Cosgrow, Principal Minister and Minister for Fisheries, Agriculture and the Blue Economy
- Foreign Affairs Minister Barry Faure
- Finance Minister Pierre Laporte
The two leaders also held a separate bilateral meeting before the wider delegation discussions.
PM Modi Receives Seychelles’ Highest Presidential Honour
In recognition of his contribution to strengthening India-Seychelles relations and promoting regional cooperation, Prime Minister Modi was conferred with the prestigious ‘Guardian of the Blue Horizon’, Seychelles’ highest presidential distinction.
Accepting the honour, the Prime Minister dedicated the award to all nations working together to address climate change and protect the world’s oceans and ecosystems.
He stressed that environmental protection and international cooperation remain essential for ensuring a sustainable future.
Ceremonial Welcome Reflects Strong Diplomatic Ties
Prime Minister Modi received a ceremonial Guard of Honour at the State House after being welcomed by President Herminie.
His arrival in Seychelles was marked by a warm reception attended by Cabinet ministers, senior government officials and cultural performers, including artists presenting a traditional dance from Gujarat’s Kutch region, symbolising the longstanding people-to-people relationship between the two countries.
Guest of Honour at Seychelles’ Golden Jubilee Celebrations
The Prime Minister’s visit coincided with Seychelles’ Golden Jubilee celebrations commemorating 50 years of independence from the United Kingdom.
As the Guest of Honour, Modi is scheduled to participate in the country’s National Day celebrations, highlighting the enduring diplomatic partnership between India and Seychelles.
During the visit, he also toured the Seychelles National Botanical Garden, reinforcing India’s commitment to biodiversity conservation and environmental sustainability.
India Boosts Seychelles’ Maritime Capabilities
A major highlight of the visit was the transfer of PS LESPWAR, a Made-in-India Fast Patrol Vessel built by Goa Shipyard Limited.
The vessel will strengthen Seychelles’ maritime surveillance capabilities and improve monitoring of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
India also handed over:
- Six ambulances
- Ten utility vehicles
- Five laser-guided boats
The equipment will enhance Seychelles’ emergency response systems and maritime security infrastructure.
The handover ceremony, held at the Seychelles Coast Guard Base in Victoria, demonstrated the growing strategic partnership between the two nations and India’s continued support for peace, security and stability across the Indian Ocean Region.
Strengthening a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
Prime Minister Modi’s visit further reinforces India’s growing engagement with Indian Ocean nations under its regional maritime vision.
With enhanced cooperation in defence, digital infrastructure, connectivity, climate action, the blue economy and sustainable development, India and Seychelles continue to expand a partnership that plays an increasingly important role in ensuring stability and prosperity across the Indian Ocean.
