New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday departed for a three-day State Visit to Seychelles, where he will attend the country’s Golden Jubilee National Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour. The visit, scheduled from June 27 to 29, is expected to further strengthen the longstanding strategic and maritime partnership between the two nations.
The visit comes at the invitation of Seychelles President Patrick Herminie and coincides with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Seychelles. In his departure statement, Prime Minister Modi described Seychelles as a “valued maritime neighbour” and a key partner in India’s Vision MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) and its commitment to the Global South.
During the visit, Modi will hold bilateral talks with President Herminie to review the full spectrum of India-Seychelles cooperation, including maritime security, defence, trade, development partnership and regional issues in the Indian Ocean Region. Both leaders are also expected to exchange views on global developments of mutual interest.
A major highlight of the visit will be Prime Minister Modi’s participation in the Golden Jubilee National Day celebrations, where a contingent of the Indian Armed Forces and two Indian Navy ships will take part in commemorative events, reflecting the close defence and security cooperation between the two countries.
Modi will also become the first Indian Prime Minister to address the National Assembly of Seychelles, a landmark moment in bilateral relations. In addition, he is scheduled to interact with members of the Indian diaspora, who have played an important role in strengthening people-to-people ties between the two nations.
Prime Minister Modi last visited Seychelles in 2015. Since then, bilateral cooperation has expanded across sectors including maritime security, coastal surveillance, capacity building, healthcare, renewable energy, digital connectivity and development assistance. The island nation occupies a strategically important position in the Indian Ocean and is regarded as a key partner in India’s regional security architecture.
The visit is expected to provide fresh momentum to India-Seychelles relations while reinforcing India’s vision of a secure, peaceful and prosperous Indian Ocean Region through closer cooperation with its maritime partners.
