Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent trip to Seychelles aimed at bolstering relationships and affirming India’s role as a net service provider in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Seychelles, an archipelago near vital sea lanes connecting East Africa and West Asia, holds strategic importance for India due to maritime cooperation. During the visit, PM Modi and Seychelles President Patrick Herminie discussed opportunities in various sectors like industries, technology, and digital infrastructure.
PM Modi emphasized the shared responsibility for the security, sustainability, and prosperity of the Indian Ocean during his meeting with President Herminie. The visit saw the enhancement of defence and maritime partnership between India and Seychelles, with the transfer of ‘Made in India’ assets to strengthen Seychelles’ maritime surveillance capabilities. India’s commitment to being a net security provider in the region was underscored, emphasizing cooperative security mechanisms with Indian Ocean littoral states.
India’s support for Seychelles Coast Guard through gifting maritime assets like patrol boats and aircraft highlights its cooperative-defence strategy with littoral states. By assisting in enhancing security preparedness, India reinforces its commitment to serving as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region. The strategic importance of island nations in the Indian Ocean to India’s security architecture was also highlighted, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive maritime-security strategy to address emerging challenges.
