New Delhi/Victoria, June 27: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday departed for a three-day official visit to Seychelles, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the island nation in more than a decade. The visit aims to strengthen bilateral ties, enhance maritime security cooperation, and expand India’s strategic engagement in the Indian Ocean Region.
During the visit, Prime Minister Modi will hold bilateral talks with Seychelles President Wavel Ramkalawan and participate in the country’s National Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour. The visit is expected to result in several agreements covering defence, maritime security, digital connectivity, healthcare, education, and sustainable development.
Focus on Maritime Security
Maritime cooperation is expected to be one of the central themes of the visit. India and Seychelles have maintained close defence ties for years, with New Delhi supporting the island nation through coastal surveillance systems, defence training, and maritime infrastructure projects.
Officials said discussions will focus on strengthening cooperation to ensure a free, open, and secure Indian Ocean while addressing challenges such as piracy, illegal fishing, maritime crime, and disaster management.
Bilateral Talks to Cover Development Partnership
Apart from security cooperation, both leaders are expected to review progress on ongoing development projects supported by India. These include infrastructure development, renewable energy initiatives, healthcare cooperation, digital public infrastructure, and capacity-building programmes.
India has remained one of Seychelles’ key development partners by providing financial assistance, technical expertise, and training programmes across various sectors.
Strengthening India’s Indo-Pacific Vision
The visit also reflects India’s continued commitment to its Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) vision, which seeks to promote regional stability, economic development, and stronger maritime partnerships in the Indian Ocean.
Government officials said India considers Seychelles an important strategic partner due to its location along critical sea lanes used for global trade and energy transportation.
National Day Celebrations
Prime Minister Modi will attend Seychelles’ National Day celebrations in Victoria, where he has been invited as the Guest of Honour. His participation is expected to underline the long-standing friendship between the two countries and reaffirm India’s commitment to strengthening diplomatic and people-to-people relations.
Several cultural exchange programmes and community interactions are also scheduled during the visit.
Agreements Expected
The two countries are likely to sign multiple Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) covering areas such as maritime cooperation, digital technology, healthcare, education, climate resilience, renewable energy, and skill development.
Officials believe these agreements will further deepen bilateral cooperation and contribute to sustainable development in Seychelles while advancing India’s strategic interests in the Indian Ocean region.
The visit is expected to conclude with a joint statement outlining the roadmap for future cooperation between India and Seychelles.
Source: Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India
Original Report:
https://www.mea.gov.in/
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