Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a joint press statement with Seychelles President Dr Patrick Herminie, outlined areas of cooperation between India and Seychelles, including digital payments, health, skills, maritime security, clean energy and the blue economy.
The statement was released by the Press Information Bureau, Government of India. The Prime Minister thanked President Herminie for the welcome and hospitality extended to the Indian delegation. He also referred to being honoured with the title Guardian of the Blue Horizon, saying he accepted it on behalf of 140 crore Indians and dedicated it to countries working against climate change and for environmental protection.
Fifty years of ties
The Prime Minister said the visit came at a time when Seychelles is completing 50 years of independence and India and Seychelles are marking 50 years of diplomatic relations. He described the relationship as one shaped over time by trust, cooperation and public welfare.
He placed the partnership in the wider setting of the Indian Ocean, calling it a shared home for both countries. According to the statement, India sees the security, sustainability and prosperity of the Indian Ocean as a shared responsibility. The Prime Minister linked this approach to India’s MAHASAGAR vision.
He also referred to the Joint Vision issued during the Seychelles President’s visit to India in February, saying it had provided a blueprint for future cooperation. The two sides discussed ways to make economic cooperation more resilient and better prepared for the future.
Digital payments and connectivity
Digital technology was one of the main areas highlighted in the statement. The Prime Minister said India would share its experience in Digital Public Infrastructure with Seychelles. He noted that an MoU was being signed for implementing UPI in Seychelles.
India and Seychelles will also continue to look for new opportunities for industries in both countries. The Prime Minister said work would be taken forward to improve connectivity between the two sides. He said this would support trade and also strengthen links with East Africa and the wider Indian Ocean region.
Development partnership
The Prime Minister described development partnership as a strong feature of India-Seychelles relations. He said India’s cooperation is guided by the priorities, needs and aspirations of Seychelles.
During President Herminie’s India visit, India had announced a Special Economic Package of 175 million dollars. The Prime Minister said work under this package covers areas such as social housing, transport, skilling, food security, education and defence.
Human resource development was also mentioned as a priority. India is contributing to the training of Seychelles civil servants. The Prime Minister said the virtual ground-breaking of a Professional and Technical Centre was also taking place, and expressed the view that it would help the youth of Seychelles in skills and employment.
Health, energy and blue economy
On health cooperation, the Prime Minister referred to India’s supply of vaccines during the Covid period. He said an MoU on Jan Aushadhi would help provide quality and affordable medicines to people in Seychelles. India would also continue efforts to strengthen medical care in Seychelles through capacity building and training.
Energy and climate action were another part of the discussions. The Prime Minister said both countries would continue cooperation in clean energy, including green hydrogen.
The blue economy was described as a natural and strategic area for cooperation. India will share its expertise with Seychelles in ocean observation, marine science and coastal management. The Prime Minister also said both countries were moving ahead together in the space sector, and that an MoU had been signed on this subject.
Security and people-to-people ties
The statement also covered defence and security. The Prime Minister said India and Seychelles view their security as closely connected and would continue close cooperation in this field.
He said the strength of the relationship lies in people-to-people ties. India and Seychelles will work in an institutional way to increase cooperation between sportsmen and athletes. The Prime Minister also referred to the popularity of yoga and the Indian film industry in Seychelles as signs of cultural connection.
In his concluding remarks, the Prime Minister said India’s message from the visit was that the Indian Ocean should be a region where maritime security and economic prosperity grow together, and where countries move forward with mutual respect and trust. He said India’s vision is to make the Indian Ocean an Ocean of Opportunity.
Source: Press Information Bureau, Government of India.
