New Delhi / Victoria. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s three-day visit to Seychelles has taken the strategic, economic and development cooperation between India and Seychelles to an unprecedented high. Giving new strength to their bilateral relations, both the countries have signed nine major agreements in various important areas including defence, health, digital payments, agriculture, space, maritime transport and law enforcement. Along with this, many development projects have also been launched and special assistance packages have also been announced. These agreements were finalized after high-level bilateral talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Seychelles President Patrick Herminy.
India’s UPI system will be implemented in Seychelles, cheap medicines will also be supplied
Taking a major step in the field of digital cooperation, an agreement has been signed between NPCI International and the Central Bank of Seychelles to implement India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) system in Seychelles. Additionally, it has also been agreed to supply affordable generic medicines to Seychelles under India’s ‘Jan Aushadhi Scheme’. Agreements related to preparations for the construction of a new national hospital, agricultural research and education, recognition of seafarers’ training certification, extradition treaty and space cooperation were also signed between the two countries. The two countries have also signed an Umbrella Line of Credit agreement to speed up infrastructure projects.
India commits military and humanitarian assistance for the security of the Indian Ocean
India has handed over the following equipment and ships, providing unprecedented strength to Seychelles’ maritime security and defense capabilities,
A Fast Patrol Vessel
10 utility vehicles and five Laser Radial class boats
Refit of Coast Guard ship PS Zoroaster has been completed and handed over to Seychelles. Seychelles has officially announced the upgrading of its Dornier aircraft with state-of-the-art glass cockpit technology. Under humanitarian assistance and development cooperation, India has also provided 6 ambulances, 500 metric tons of rice and 8,500 tons of cement to friendly country Seychelles. To mark the historic occasion of 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, a commemorative logo was released and the foundation stone of the ‘Professional and Technical Education Centre’ was laid virtually.
Modi becomes the first Indian PM to address the National Assembly of Seychelles
During his visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday addressed the National Assembly of Seychelles on the occasion of its golden jubilee (completion of 50 years) of independence. With this he has become the first Prime Minister of India to address the Parliament of Seychelles. Addressing the assembly, PM Modi said that relations between the two countries are based on centuries-old people-to-people ties, which have today transformed into a strong partnership of trust, security and shared prosperity.
Indian Ocean region will become more secure with ‘Mahasagar’ initiative
Making special mention of India’s ‘Ocean’ initiative, Prime Minister Modi said that India and Seychelles will further expand cooperation in areas such as maritime security, defense cooperation, hydrography, capacity building and maritime surveillance, so as to make the Indian Ocean region more secure and stable. They also stressed on enhancing partnerships in the areas of marine economy, fisheries, marine science, renewable energy, coastal management, sustainable tourism and digital innovation. Talking on climate change, he advocated giving priority to the concerns of small island states at the global level and mentioned India’s initiatives related to International Solar Alliance, Mission Life and Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI). Seychelles has also joined the India-backed ‘Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure’. The Prime Minister expressed confidence that the coming phase of India-Seychelles relations will be stronger and broader than the last five decades.
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