PM Modi to Attend Seychelles National Day Celebrations
Prime Minister Modi's Upcoming Visit to Seychelles
File image of PM Modi(Photo: @ians_india/X)
New Delhi, June 27: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on a State visit to Seychelles starting Saturday, June 27, to participate in the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the nation's National Day as the Guest of Honour.
This visit comes at the invitation of Seychelles President Patrick Herminie.
During his stay, PM Modi will engage in discussions with President Herminie to assess the breadth of bilateral cooperation and share perspectives on regional and global matters of mutual concern, as stated by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
Additionally, PM Modi is expected to address the Seychelles National Assembly and connect with members of the Indian community residing there.
According to the MEA, "India and Seychelles have a long-standing partnership grounded in shared historical, cultural, and people-to-people connections. As a significant maritime neighbor in the Indian Ocean, Seychelles is integral to India’s Vision MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) and our dedication to the Global South."
This visit by PM Modi aims to strengthen the enduring friendship between the two nations and bolster their mutual commitment to enhancing bilateral relations across various sectors.
In April, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with his Seychelles counterpart, Barry Faure, during the 9th Indian Ocean Conference in Mauritius, reaffirming New Delhi's support for Seychelles in addressing its current economic challenges.
Jaishankar shared on X, "Great meeting FM Barry Faure of Seychelles on the sidelines of 9th Indian Ocean Conference. India is committed to supporting Seychelles in meeting current economic challenges. Welcomed the steps in implementing the Special Economic Package."
Earlier this year, President Herminie visited India for six days, where he and PM Modi discussed the full range of bilateral relations and agreed to collaborate on digital transformation initiatives.
Recognizing the necessity for Seychelles to digitize governance for its citizens, India pledged to assist in developing Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), including digital payment systems tailored to Seychelles' specific needs.
As per the 'Joint Vision for Sustainability, Economic Growth and Security through Enhanced Linkages' (SESEL) established by both nations, PM Modi reiterated India's commitment to being a dependable partner in Seychelles' national development agenda, focusing on sustainability, defense, maritime security, capacity building, resilience, and inclusive growth.
India's High Commissioner to Seychelles, Rohit Rathish, described the India-Seychelles relationship as "dynamic and excellent," noting that both countries are eager to broaden cooperation into emerging fields such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), cyberspace, cybersecurity, marine science, conservation, and the blue economy.
Rathish mentioned that India and Seychelles are anticipated to sign multiple agreements and announce significant outcomes across various sectors. He also highlighted the momentum in high-level bilateral engagement, recalling President Herminie's visit to India in February and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar's visit to Seychelles last October.