Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached the island country Seychelles on Saturday on a three-day visit. President Patrick Hermini welcomed him in the capital Victoria. After this, both the leaders fed the Aldabra giant tortoises in the National Botanical Garden. PM Modi will also be the chief guest at the 50th National Day celebrations of Seychelles on June 29.
During his visit, PM Modi said Seychelles is an important maritime neighbor for India and a key partner in its ‘SAGAR’ (security and development for all in the region) vision. This year, 50 years of relations between India and Seychelles are being completed. Relations between the two countries are based on mutual trust, democratic values, respect for diversity and strong people-to-people ties. Following President Harmini’s visit to India in February 2026, further strengthening of bilateral relations will be discussed during this visit. Both countries will work together to advance security, prosperity and development in the Indian Ocean region.
Modi will be the first PM to address the National Assembly
PM Modi said, I will become the first Indian Prime Minister to address the National Assembly of Seychelles. This occasion highlights the strong democratic and parliamentary traditions of both the countries. I also got the opportunity to meet the Indian community settled in Seychelles, which has further strengthened the friendship between the two countries. I believe the purpose of this visit is to deepen India-Seychelles engagement, enhance maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean and advance the shared vision of a safe, secure and prosperous Indian Ocean region.
Centuries old relationship between India and Seychelles
Relations between India and Seychelles, this small country in the Indian Ocean, are not just strategic, they are 256 years old. When the first permanent settlement was established here in 1770, five Indians were among the 27 people who arrived there. Later, a large number of Indians from Bihar, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat also came and settled here.
Seychelles President’s ancestors were from Bihar
Today, almost every eighth citizen of Seychelles’ population of 120,000 is of Indian origin. The country’s President Wavel Ramkalavan is also related to Gopalganj district of Bihar. Therefore, this visit of Modi is expected to give new impetus to the historical, cultural and ancestral relations between the two countries.
Leave a Reply