Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to travel to Seychelles from June 27-29 to participate in the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the country’s National Day as the Guest of Honour. He has been invited by Seychelles President Patrick Herminie for this state visit. During his trip, PM Modi will engage in discussions with President Herminie to assess the entire range of bilateral cooperation and share perspectives on regional and global matters of common interest, as per a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
PM Modi’s agenda includes addressing the Seychelles National Assembly and engaging with the Indian diaspora. The MEA highlighted the enduring partnership between India and Seychelles, emphasizing their shared historical, cultural, and people-to-people connections. Seychelles, being a significant maritime neighbor in the Indian Ocean region, plays a crucial role in India’s Vision MAHASAGAR and its dedication to the Global South.
The visit aims to reinforce the strong bond between the two nations and strengthen their joint commitment to enhancing bilateral ties across various sectors. Earlier interactions between the two countries, such as the meeting between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Seychelles counterpart Barry Faure, have underscored India’s support for Seychelles in addressing economic challenges and promoting development initiatives.
PM Modi’s visit follows Seychelles President Herminie’s visit to India in February, where discussions on a wide array of bilateral relations took place, including cooperation in digital transformation. Both countries have agreed to collaborate closely on digitizing governance in Seychelles, with India pledging support for the development of Digital Public Infrastructure tailored to Seychelles’ needs. The ‘Joint Vision for Sustainability, Economic Growth and Security through Enhanced Linkages’ (SESEL) outlines India’s commitment to assisting Seychelles in its national development agenda through various initiatives, including a Special Economic Package worth USD 175 million.
