India, Seychelles Strengthen Strategic Ties

Victoria, Seychelles | June 28, 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Seychelles President Dr. Patrick Herminie on Saturday held wide-ranging bilateral talks in Victoria during the Prime Minister’s State Visit to the island nation from June 27 to 29, reaffirming their commitment to further deepen the longstanding partnership between the two countries.

The discussions covered the full spectrum of bilateral relations, with both leaders agreeing to strengthen cooperation in healthcare, education, capacity building, digital transformation, sustainable development, renewable energy, maritime security, defence, and social infrastructure. They also exchanged views on regional and global developments, particularly shared challenges in the Indian Ocean region, including illegal fishing, drug trafficking, and piracy.

Prime Minister Modi reiterated India’s commitment to supporting Seychelles’ development priorities and welcomed the progress achieved under the Special Economic Package announced during President Herminie’s visit to India in February 2026.

India Extends Development Assistance

As part of the visit, India announced a series of development initiatives aimed at supporting Seychelles’ infrastructure, healthcare, food security, and defence capabilities. These include the gifting of a Fast Patrol Vessel, 10 utility vehicles, five Laser Radial class boats for the Seychelles Defence Force, six ambulances, 500 metric tonnes of rice, and 8,500 metric tonnes of cement.

The leaders also virtually inaugurated the ground-breaking ceremony for the Professional and Technical Education Centre, announced the completion of the refit of the Seychelles Coast Guard vessel PS Zoroaster, and unveiled plans to upgrade a Dornier aircraft with a modern glass cockpit.

Nine Agreements Signed Across Key Sectors

India and Seychelles exchanged nine agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering capacity building, digital payments, healthcare, agriculture, shipping, extradition, infrastructure financing, space cooperation, and healthcare infrastructure.

Among the key agreements was an Umbrella Line of Credit worth ₹1,250 crore extended through the Export-Import Bank of India to support infrastructure and development projects under the Special Economic Package.

The two countries also signed an agreement to introduce India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in Seychelles through cooperation between NPCI International Payments Ltd. and the Central Bank of Seychelles.

Other major agreements include cooperation in agricultural research between the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Seychelles’ Agriculture Department, an extradition treaty to strengthen cooperation against transnational crime, recognition of Indian seafarers’ certifications for Seychelles-flagged vessels, collaboration in peaceful uses of outer space, and an MoU for preparatory work on a new Seychelles National Hospital.

Additionally, HLL Lifecare Limited signed an agreement with Seychelles’ Ministry of Health to facilitate the supply of affordable generic medicines under India’s Janaushadhi Scheme, while the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service and Seychelles’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs agreed to expand diplomatic training and capacity-building programmes.

Celebrating 50 Years of Diplomatic Relations

Following the official talks, Prime Minister Modi and President Herminie jointly unveiled a commemorative logo marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Seychelles, highlighting five decades of close friendship and cooperation.

In another significant development, Seychelles announced its decision to join the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), further expanding cooperation with India in climate resilience and sustainable infrastructure.

Historic Address to Seychelles National Assembly

Later in the day, Prime Minister Modi addressed an Extraordinary Sitting of the National Assembly of Seychelles, becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to do so.

In his address, he highlighted the deep historical ties between the two nations and emphasized their shared commitment to democracy, the rule of law, and people-centric governance. He noted that mutual trust has enabled a strong partnership spanning development cooperation, maritime security, technology, innovation, healthcare, and capacity building.

The Prime Minister also called for stronger parliamentary exchanges between the two democracies to further reinforce bilateral ties.

Meeting with Opposition Leader

Prime Minister Modi also met Seychelles’ Leader of the Opposition, Bernard Georges. The two leaders discussed the growing India-Seychelles partnership and reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening the special friendship between the two countries.

The visit underscores India’s continued engagement with the Indian Ocean region and its commitment to supporting Seychelles through development partnerships, strategic cooperation, and people-centric initiatives.