Victoria: India and Seychelles on Sunday signed 19 agreements spanning defence, maritime security, digital payments, healthcare, education, agriculture and space cooperation following delegation-level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Seychelles President Patrick Herminie. The agreements mark a significant expansion of bilateral ties as the two countries celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations.
Addressing the media after the talks, Prime Minister Modi said India envisions the Indian Ocean as an “ocean of opportunity” where security, sustainability and prosperity are shared responsibilities. He reiterated that the defence and security of India and Seychelles are closely interconnected under India’s MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) vision.
PM Modi outlines India’s vision for the Indian Ocean
Prime Minister Modi said India considers the Indian Ocean a shared home and stressed the need for cooperation based on mutual respect, trust and shared responsibility.
“Our vision is to make the Indian Ocean an ocean of opportunity,” he said, adding that maritime security and economic prosperity must go hand in hand.
He noted that India’s MAHASAGAR initiative aims to strengthen regional cooperation and promote peace, stability and sustainable development across the Indian Ocean region.
India and Seychelles announce 19 key outcomes
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the two countries finalised 19 outcomes covering a broad range of strategic and developmental sectors.
Among the major agreements were an extradition treaty, a pact on cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space, an agreement to introduce UPI-based digital payments in Seychelles, an umbrella Line of Credit agreement with the Export-Import Bank of India and a memorandum for preliminary work on a new Seychelles National Hospital.
The agreements are expected to deepen economic, technological and institutional cooperation between the two countries.
Defence and maritime cooperation strengthened
Defence cooperation featured prominently in the outcomes announced after the talks.
India gifted a fast patrol vessel to Seychelles and handed over 10 utility vehicles and five Laser Radial class boats to the Seychelles Defence Force.
The two sides also marked the completion of the refit of PS Zoroaster for the Seychelles Coast Guard and upgraded a Dornier aircraft with a modern glass cockpit to enhance operational capabilities.
These initiatives are aimed at strengthening Seychelles’ maritime surveillance and security capacity in the Indian Ocean.
Healthcare, education and development projects
The agreements also include several development assistance initiatives.
India handed over six ambulances, 500 metric tonnes of rice and 8,500 metric tonnes of cement to Seychelles as part of its ongoing development partnership.
A virtual ground-breaking ceremony was held for a new Professional and Technical Education Centre, while a commemorative logo celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations was also launched.
An agreement between HLL Lifecare Ltd. and Seychelles’ Health Ministry under the Jan Aushadhi initiative seeks to improve access to affordable, high-quality Indian medicines.
UPI and space cooperation receive major push
India and Seychelles also signed an agreement between NPCI International Payments Ltd. and the Central Bank of Seychelles to facilitate the introduction of UPI-based digital payments in the island nation.
The initiative is expected to strengthen digital financial connectivity and promote greater economic cooperation.
In addition, the two countries signed an agreement to cooperate in the exploration and peaceful uses of outer space, reflecting the expanding scope of their strategic partnership.
Other agreements covered diplomatic training, agricultural research, education and the recognition of training and certification for seafarers serving on Seychelles-flagged vessels.
Bilateral ties enter a new phase
The agreements signed during Prime Minister Modi’s visit underscore the growing strategic partnership between India and Seychelles.
As the two countries commemorate five decades of diplomatic relations, the new initiatives are expected to deepen collaboration across defence, trade, technology, healthcare and people-to-people exchanges.
The visit also reinforces India’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with Indian Ocean nations under its broader regional vision for security, growth and sustainable development.