Kamal Ghorui
India on Monday announced a $175 million development assistance package for Seychelles after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held wide-ranging talks with the island nation’s President Patrick Herminie, with the two sides outlining a joint vision to expand bilateral engagement across sectors. The development was announced following the Modi-Herminie meeting, which also saw the signing of seven agreements covering areas such as digital solutions, exports, data sharing and maritime scientific research, PTI reported.
The two countries also agreed on a broader framework to expand cooperation in sustainability, trade and economy, and security. “Today’s meeting makes it clear that the India-Seychelles partnership is entering a new phase,” PM Modi said.Herminie is on a six-day visit to India. Seychelles is considered a key maritime partner for India in the Indian Ocean region. “India and Seychelles share a relationship that extends far beyond diplomatic engagement. The waves of the Indian Ocean have connected our peoples for centuries,” the prime minister said in his media statement.“Along its shores, trade between our nations has grown, cultures have converged, and traditions of trust have continued to strengthen,” he added.During the talks, both leaders agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation in hydrography to support Seychelles’ blue economy plans. As part of this effort, Seychelles will establish a Seychelles Hydrographic Unit (SHU) with Indian assistance.Highlighting the historical depth of ties, Modi said India and Seychelles are connected not “just by geography, but by history, trust and a shared vision for the future.”“Our bond spans the past, the present, and the future. As a maritime neighbour and a trusted partner, Seychelles is an integral part of India’s MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) Vision. Our cooperation encompasses the maritime, land, and air domains,” he said.“In today’s discussions, we charted a path to further strengthen this partnership. We agreed to continue exploring new opportunities to deepen our economic cooperation,” he added.The prime minister said development cooperation remains a key pillar of India-Seychelles relations, guided by the island nation’s priorities. “Building on this direction, today we are announcing a Special Economic Package of 175 million dollars,” Modi said.The package will support projects in social housing, e-mobility, vocational training, healthcare, defence and maritime security. The assistance includes $125 million as rupee-denominated Line of Credit and $50 million as grant support.Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said India will also provide 1,000 metric tonnes of grains and lentils under the package.Modi said India will continue cooperation with Seychelles in supplying affordable quality medicines and strengthening healthcare infrastructure. “In the areas of energy and climate, our cooperation is guided by a shared commitment to sustainable development. We will further expand our collaboration in renewable energy, resilience, and climate-adaptive solutions,” he said.The prime minister also said India will share expertise in marine research, capacity building and data sharing.“Defence cooperation and maritime security are important pillars of our partnership. We welcome Seychelles as a full member of the Colombo Security Conclave,” he said.“This will strengthen our mutual coordination and reinforce efforts to ensure peace and stability in the Indian Ocean,” he added.
