Dr. Patrick Herminie, the President of the Republic of Seychelles with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House, in New Delhi on February 09, 2026.
New Delhi Talks Reinforce India–Seychelles Maritime Ties
India Announces USD 175 Million Package for Seychelles
New Delhi: India and Seychelles today agreed on a comprehensive Joint Vision for Sustainability, Economic Growth and Security through Enhanced Linkages, charting a multi-year roadmap to deepen cooperation across development, maritime security, defence, climate action, digital transformation, trade and people-to-people ties, following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Seychelles President Dr. Patrick Herminie during the latter’s State Visit to India.
A key outcome of the visit was India’s announcement of a Special Economic Package of USD 175 million for Seychelles, comprising a Rupee-denominated Line of Credit of USD 125 million and grant assistance of USD 50 million. The package is aimed at supporting priority projects in social housing, e-mobility, vocational training, health, renewable energy, defence preparedness and maritime security, reinforcing India’s role as a long-term development and security partner of Seychelles.
President Herminie’s visit to India from February 5 to 10, his first State Visit since assuming office, came around 100 days after his inauguration and coincided with two milestones: the 50th anniversary of Seychelles’ independence and five decades of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Both sides described the timing as reflective of renewed political momentum in a relationship anchored in historical links, kinship and shared democratic values.
During their meeting on February 9, Prime Minister Modi congratulated President Herminie on his electoral victory in October 2025. The two leaders reaffirmed that India and Seychelles, as close maritime neighbours, share a special and time-tested partnership that contributes to security and stability in the Western Indian Ocean Region. They underscored Seychelles’ role as an important pillar in India’s Vision MAHASAGAR—Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions—whose pillars include trade for development, capacity building for sustainable growth, and mutual security for a shared future.
The discussions placed strong emphasis on people-centric development and institutional cooperation. President Herminie described India as a trusted partner for Seychelles and the wider region, and expressed appreciation for India’s longstanding assistance through lines of credit, grants, high-impact community development projects and capacity-building programmes. Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to aligning its development partnership with Seychelles’ national priorities, with a focus on sustainability, resilience and inclusive growth.
Both leaders agreed to intensify political and socio-economic engagement through regular high-level exchanges at leadership, ministerial and senior official levels. They also agreed to deepen parliamentary cooperation, including exchanges between legislatures and the sharing of best practices on parliamentary procedures and capacity building.
Economic cooperation featured prominently in the talks. The two sides agreed to explore expanding bilateral trade, including trade in local currencies, and to advance collaboration in financial technology and digital solutions. President Herminie encouraged Indian businesses to view Seychelles as an investment hub, particularly in affordable housing, digital technologies and artificial intelligence, financial services, the blue economy, tourism and fisheries. The leaders also noted that increased direct air connectivity has led to a rise in Indian tourist arrivals, strengthening the resilience of Seychelles’ tourism sector, and agreed to explore further enhancement of flight connectivity.
Recognising India’s experience in digital governance, the leaders agreed to cooperate on the buildout of Digital Public Infrastructure in Seychelles, including digital payments and e-governance systems, tailored to local needs. This cooperation is intended to improve service delivery and citizen access to government services.
Health cooperation was highlighted as a tangible expression of the people-centric partnership. India announced the donation of 10 ambulances equipped with basic and advanced life-support systems to strengthen emergency medical services in Seychelles. The two sides agreed to streamline access to affordable, quality medicines through recognition of the Indian Pharmacopoeia and collaboration under India’s Jan Aushadhi initiative. They also agreed to expand cooperation through training and exchange programmes in mental health, recruitment and deputation of Indian medical professionals, institutional public health linkages, and support for the construction of a new hospital in Seychelles. India further announced the donation of 1,000 metric tonnes of food grains to help bolster food security and ease high living costs in Seychelles.
Capacity building and human resource development formed another core area of agreement. Both leaders underscored the importance of training programmes under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation framework and agreed to expand customised training for Seychellois civil servants through Indian institutions, including the National Centre for Good Governance and the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service. Cooperation will also be strengthened in areas such as cybersecurity, financial intelligence, marine sciences, climate change, renewable energy, fisheries, policing, agriculture, women empowerment and support for micro, small and medium enterprises, alongside the deputation of Indian experts to Seychelles.
On climate action and sustainability, the leaders reaffirmed cooperation in renewable energy and climate resilience, noting the positive impact of solar power projects implemented under the International Solar Alliance. India agreed to provide technical assistance for power grid management to support Seychelles’ transition to green public transport, and both sides agreed to explore new projects in energy efficiency, renewable energy and green mobility. They also agreed to support the implementation of multi-hazard early warning systems in Seychelles. Acknowledging the challenges faced by small island developing states in accessing finance, President Herminie expressed hope for India’s continued advocacy on international platforms for consideration of multidimensional vulnerability, including the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index, alongside principles such as equity and Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities. Seychelles agreed to join the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.
Maritime security and defence cooperation were reaffirmed as central pillars of the bilateral partnership. The leaders reiterated their commitment to a free, open, safe and rules-based Indian Ocean Region, underpinned by respect for international law and freedom of navigation. They agreed to strengthen cooperation to address challenges such as piracy, narcotics smuggling, human trafficking, illegal and unregulated fishing, and other transnational crimes. India reiterated its support for joint maritime surveillance, hydrographic surveys, information sharing, defence training and capacity building for the Seychelles Defence Forces. Recent assistance, including grant support for the refit of patrol vessel PS Zoroaster and the donation of utility vehicles and laser radial boats, was acknowledged. Both sides agreed to initiate a process to elevate institutional engagement in the defence and maritime domain to ensure enhanced coordination and effectiveness.
Cooperation in hydrography was also advanced, with an agreement to step up joint surveys to support Seychelles’ blue economy. Seychelles will establish a Seychelles Hydrographic Unit with Indian assistance, and it was agreed that the third Joint Committee Meeting on Hydrography will be held in Seychelles in early 2026.
At the regional and multilateral level, Prime Minister Modi welcomed Seychelles’ decision to become a full member of the Colombo Security Conclave, describing it as a step that would strengthen regional maritime security coordination. President Herminie reaffirmed Seychelles’ support for India’s candidature for permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council and thanked India for its participation in Seychelles’ National Day celebrations through Indian Armed Forces contingents, a tradition both sides agreed to continue for the 50th National Day.
People-to-people and cultural ties were described as the enduring foundation of bilateral relations. The leaders recognised the contributions of Seychellois of Indian origin to Seychelles’ social and economic life and the role of Indian professionals in the country’s development. They agreed to institutionalise cooperation in culture, tourism, education and youth exchanges to further strengthen societal linkages.
President Herminie also met President Droupadi Murmu, who hosted a banquet in his honour and reaffirmed that Seychelles occupies an important place in India’s MAHASAGAR vision. She expressed confidence that the Joint Vision and the Special Economic Package would provide a strong foundation for cooperation in the years ahead.
Concluding the visit, both leaders expressed satisfaction at the breadth of discussions and confidence that the Joint Vision would elevate the partnership and deliver tangible benefits to the peoples of both countries. President Herminie thanked Prime Minister Modi for the warm hospitality extended during his visit and invited him to undertake an official visit to Seychelles at a mutually convenient time.
– global bihari bureau
