A warm welcome for PM Modi
India (Commonwealth Union)_ Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Seychelles on a three-day state visit at the invitation of President Patrick Herminie. The visit held special significance as PM Modi attended the country’s Golden Jubilee Independence Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour, making him the first Indian Prime Minister to receive the distinction. He was welcomed at Seychelles International Airport with full ceremonial honours, including a Guard of Honour. President Herminie, senior government leaders and dignitaries received the Indian Prime Minister, while members of the Indian community greeted him with Indian flags, cultural performances and traditional music. Describing Seychelles as one of India’s closest maritime partners in the Indian Ocean, Modi said he looked forward to strengthening the longstanding friendship between the two countries and expanding cooperation for the benefit of both nations.
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Meeting the Indian diaspora
Soon after his arrival, Modi met members of the Indian diaspora, who turned out in large numbers to welcome him. He interacted with families, accepted a portrait presented by members of the community, and thanked them for preserving India’s cultural traditions despite living abroad. Traditional performances, including a folk dance from Kutch, added colour to the welcome. Modi praised the community for serving as a living bridge between India and Seychelles and said their contribution had strengthened people-to-people ties over generations.
Bilateral talks
Modi held extensive discussions with President Herminie on strengthening cooperation in areas including healthcare, digital technology, renewable energy, maritime security and capacity building. The two leaders also reviewed regional challenges such as piracy, illegal fishing and drug trafficking in the Indian Ocean. India reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Seychelles’ development priorities and enhancing cooperation under its Vision MAHASAGAR initiative. Several new initiatives were also announced. These included a commemorative logo marking 50 years of diplomatic relations; the virtual groundbreaking of the Professional and Technical Education Centre; completion of the refit of the Seychelles Coast Guard vessel PS Zoroaster; the upgrade of a Dornier aircraft with a modern glass cockpit; and Seychelles joining the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.
Address at the National Assembly
A major highlight of the visit was Modi’s address to the National Assembly of Seychelles, becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to speak before the country’s legislature. Congratulating Seychelles on 50 years of Independence, Modi said the Indian Ocean connects rather than separates the two countries. He reflected on the growth of bilateral ties since his first visit in 2015 and noted that cooperation had expanded into areas such as renewable energy, green hydrogen, sustainable tourism, marine conservation and digital development. He also congratulated the newly elected members of the Assembly and Speaker Azarel Ernesta, the country’s first female Speaker. Stressing the importance of investing in future generations, Modi encouraged continued cooperation in education, technology, governance and skill development.
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Modi gets Seychelles’ highest national honour
During the visit, President Herminie conferred Seychelles’ highest distinction, the Guardian of the Blue Horizon, on Prime Minister Modi. The award recognized his global leadership in environmental protection, climate action and promotion of the Blue Economy. Accepting the honour, Modi dedicated it to all countries committed to protecting the environment and tackling climate change. He said the award carried special meaning as India and Seychelles celebrated 50 years of diplomatic relations. The recognition also reflected initiatives championed by India, including the International Solar Alliance, Mission LiFE, Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam and the International Big Cat Alliance.
Exchange of cultural gifts
The visit also highlighted India’s rich artistic heritage through a carefully selected collection of traditional gifts presented to Seychelles’ leaders. President Patrick Herminie received a handcrafted Moradabadi brass tortoise, symbolising the close connection between Indian craftsmanship and Seychelles’ famous Aldabra Giant Tortoise. First Lady Veronique Herminie was presented with a Maheshwari silk stole and a Bidriware decorative box. Vice President Sebastien Pillay received an orchid artwork from Sikkim, while Second Lady Lina Pillay was gifted Kanjeevaram silk fabric. National Assembly Speaker Azarel Ernesta received a hand-embroidered Toda shawl from Tamil Nadu, showcasing one of India’s oldest indigenous textile traditions.
Botanical garden visit
Modi and President Herminie jointly visited the Seychelles National Botanical Gardens, where they planted a Coco de Mer sapling under India’s “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign. The symbolic event reflected the shared commitment of both countries to biodiversity conservation, environmental protection and sustainable development. Modi said planting the tree represented a promise to leave behind a greener and healthier planet for future generations.
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Meeting the longest living tortoises
The two leaders also visited the famous Aldabra Giant Tortoise enclosure at the Botanical Gardens. This species is the largest and longest-living tortoise in the world, with some living up to two centuries. Modi fed the tortoises and recalled that the unique species has become a symbol of India-Seychelles friendship. He noted that Seychelles had gifted Aldabra Giant Tortoises to Kolkata’s Alipore Zoo in 2014 and later to Hyderabad Zoo, strengthening the cultural and environmental bond between the two nations.
Visit to the only Hindu temple in Seychelles
During his stay in Victoria, Modi visited the Arulmigu Navasakthi Vinayagar Temple, the only Hindu temple in Seychelles. He offered prayers for peace, prosperity and the well-being of all people. The temple, built by the local Hindu community in 1992, remains an important symbol of the historic cultural and civilizational links between India and Seychelles and serves as the spiritual centre for the country’s Hindu population.
Agreements signed
A major outcome of the visit was the strengthening of bilateral cooperation through a series of agreements. India and Seychelles signed 19 agreements, including nine key Memoranda of Understanding and treaties covering healthcare, maritime cooperation, digital payments, agriculture, law enforcement, shipping, space and infrastructure.
The agreements signed were:
- Memorandum of Understanding between Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service (SSIFS) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora of Seychelles.
- Memorandum of Understanding between NPCI International Payments Ltd. and the Central Bank of Seychelles.
- Agreement between HLL Lifecare Limited and the Ministry of Health of Seychelles under the Janaushadhi Scheme.
- Memorandum of Understanding between the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Agriculture Department of Seychelles for cooperation in agricultural research and education, along with the 2026-2031 Work Plan.
- Extradition Treaty between the Republic of India and the Republic of Seychelles.
- Memorandum of Understanding on the recognition of training and certification of seafarers between the transport ministries of the two countries.
- Umbrella Line of Credit Agreement between the Government of Seychelles and the Export-Import Bank of India.
- Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the exploration and peaceful uses of outer space.
- Memorandum of Understanding on preliminary preparations for the new Seychelles National Hospital.
- The visit also saw the launch of Unified Payments Interface (UPI) services in Seychelles and the announcement of a Rs. 1,250 crore Line of Credit to support priority development projects.
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Defence and development support
India further strengthened its defence partnership with Seychelles through the handover of the Made-in-India Fast Patrol Vessel PS Lespwar to the Seychelles Coast Guard. Built by Goa Shipyard Limited, the vessel will improve maritime surveillance and patrol capabilities across the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone. Modi also handed over six ambulances, ten utility vehicles and five laser radial boats, reinforcing India’s continued support for Seychelles’ security, healthcare and public service sectors.
Tribute to Mahatma Gandhi
During the final day of his visit, Modi paid floral tributes at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Victoria’s Peace Park. The memorial, unveiled in 2022, symbolizes the enduring friendship and cultural ties between India and Seychelles. He also interacted with members of the Indian diaspora and children gathered at the park, highlighting the role of the community in strengthening relations between the two countries.
Modi attends Golden Jubilee National Day celebrations
One of the defining moments of the visit was Modi’s participation as the Guest of Honour at Seychelles’ 50th Independence Day celebrations. The event marked not only the country’s Golden Jubilee of Independence but also 50 years of diplomatic relations between India and Seychelles. Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to attend Seychelles’ National Day celebrations. Indian participation reflected the close defence partnership between the two nations. Contingents from the Assam Regiment, the Indian Navy and an Indian Navy marching band took part in the national parade, while Indian Naval Ships INS Tarkash and INS Ikshak visited Port Victoria as part of the celebrations. In a special gesture, Modi stood up to salute the Indian contingent as it marched past during the parade. The celebrations also featured colourful cultural displays and an aerial demonstration by Seychellois parachutists carrying the national flag. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam accompanied Modi during the ceremony.
India-Seychelles relations
India and Seychelles share a close partnership built on five decades of diplomatic relations. Cooperation extends across maritime security, defence, infrastructure, healthcare, education, renewable energy, climate resilience and capacity building. The Indian community has played an important role in strengthening these ties. Indians first arrived in Seychelles in the eighteenth century, and today around 6,000 citizens of Indian origin, along with thousands of Indian professionals working across different sectors, contribute to the country’s economy and society. India also remains a preferred destination for education, specialized training and medical treatment for many Seychellois, further deepening the people-to-people relationship.
Concluding the visit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his three-day state visit after a packed programme that combined diplomacy, cultural engagement and strategic cooperation. From addressing the National Assembly and attending the Golden Jubilee Independence celebrations to planting a Coco de Mer sapling, visiting the Arulmigu Navasakthi Vinayagar Temple, meeting the Indian diaspora, paying tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and receiving Seychelles’ highest civilian honour, every event highlighted the growing warmth between the two countries. The visit delivered significant outcomes through new agreements, defence cooperation, development assistance and economic initiatives. As India and Seychelles celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations, the visit reaffirmed their shared commitment to a secure, peaceful and prosperous Indian Ocean region while opening a new chapter in an already enduring partnership.
