The visit’s outcomes reflected India’s continued commitment to supporting Seychelles’ development priorities while expanding cooperation in areas ranging from defence and disaster resilience to technology and healthcare.
Photo:ANI/DD
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s State Visit to Seychelles culminated on Sunday with the announcement of an expansive package of development assistance, the launch of new bilateral initiatives, and the signing of nine agreements spanning digital payments, healthcare, agriculture, maritime cooperation, space, infrastructure and security, underlining the growing strategic partnership between the two Indian Ocean nations.
The visit’s outcomes reflected India’s continued commitment to supporting Seychelles’ development priorities while expanding cooperation in areas ranging from defence and disaster resilience to technology and healthcare.
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As part of India’s development assistance, New Delhi gifted a Fast Patrol Vessel to the Government of Seychelles, reinforcing maritime security cooperation in the Indian Ocean. India also handed over 10 utility vehicles and five sets of Laser Radial class boats to the Seychelles Defence Force, six ambulances to the Seychelles government, 500 metric tonnes of rice, and 8,500 metric tonnes of cement to support the country’s development needs.
The visit also featured several key announcements marking the next phase of bilateral cooperation. Prime Minister Modi and Seychelles President Patrick Herminie jointly launched a commemorative logo celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
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The two leaders virtually inaugurated the ground-breaking Professional and Technical Education Centre, while announcing the completion of the refit of the Seychelles Coast Guard vessel PS Zoroaster and the upgradation of a Dornier aircraft with a modern glass cockpit. Seychelles also joined the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), reflecting its commitment to strengthening resilience against climate-related disasters.
A significant focus of the visit was expanding institutional cooperation through nine agreements and memoranda of understanding.
The Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service (SSIFS) and Seychelles’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora signed an MoU to promote diplomatic training, institutional exchanges and capacity building.
In a major step towards digital financial integration, NPCI International Payments Limited signed an MoU with the Central Bank of Seychelles to facilitate the deployment of India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) digital payment infrastructure in the island nation and explore wider cooperation in the payments ecosystem.
Healthcare cooperation received a boost through an agreement between HLL Lifecare Limited and Seychelles’ Ministry of Health to facilitate the export of affordable generic medicines and medical supplies under India’s Jan Aushadhi scheme. Another government-level MoU established a framework for bilateral cooperation on the preliminary preparations for constructing Seychelles’ new National Hospital.
Agricultural collaboration was strengthened through a Memorandum of Understanding and a 2026-2031 work plan between the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Seychelles’ Agriculture Department, focusing on joint research, technical studies and training.
The two countries also signed an Extradition Treaty aimed at strengthening legal cooperation against transnational crime and facilitating the extradition of fugitives.
In the maritime sector, an agreement between India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Seychelles’ Ministry of Transport, Ports and Civil Aviation provides for the recognition of Indian seafarers’ training and certification for service on Seychelles-flagged vessels.
To support Seychelles’ infrastructure ambitions, the two governments concluded an Umbrella Line of Credit Agreement through the Export-Import Bank of India. The financing framework is intended to support projects under the Special Economic Package announced during President Patrick Herminie’s visit to India in February 2026.
Expanding cooperation to emerging sectors, the two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the exploration and peaceful uses of outer space, covering satellite applications, space technology and capacity building.
India and Seychelles share longstanding ties rooted in historical, cultural and maritime links. India has remained one of Seychelles’ principal development partners, contributing to infrastructure, healthcare, education, defence and capacity-building projects over the years. The wide-ranging outcomes of Prime Minister Modi’s visit are expected to further deepen cooperation across strategic, economic and people-centric sectors while reinforcing India’s engagement with island nations in the Indian Ocean region.
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