New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Narendra Modi on February 9, Monday welcomed Seychelles as a full-time member of the Colombo Security Conclave and called defence and maritime cooperation are important pillars of the relationship. He further noted that India and Seychelles would expand cooperation in the areas of renewable energy, resilience, climate adaptive solutions. Prime Minister Modi made the remarks during the joint press meet with Seychelles President Patrick Herminie.
President Herminie of Seychelles arrived in the national capital on February 8, Sunday after completing engagements in Chennai and Mumbai as part of his ongoing State Visit to India. This is his first trip to India since assuming office in October 2025 and coincides with the celebration of 50 years of diplomatic relations between India and Seychelles.
PM Modi said that as maritime neighbours, the blue economy is a natural area of cooperation between the two countries and that India will share its expertise in marine research and capacity building with Seychelles. “In the areas of marine research, capacity building, data sharing-India will share its expertise with Seychelles. Defence cooperation and maritime security are important pillars of our cooperation”, PM Modi further added.
Addressing the joint press meet with President Dr. Patrick Herminie of the Republic of Seychelles.
https://t.co/gKZQcH960T— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 9, 2026
Seychelles gains full membership of Colombo Security Conclace
Also, Prime Minister Modi welcomed Seychelles as a full member of Colombo Security Conclave. “This will strengthen our efforts for peace and stability in the Indian Ocean and deepen our ties. Together we will shape not just bilateral cooperation but a shared future for the Indian Ocean”. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also hailed the various MoUs and documents being signed between India and Seychelles to further deepen collaboration between the two maritime neighbours. He also announced that the India-Seychelles Joint vision would be launched today which would become a roadmap for cooperation.
“A digital transformation is taking place. Under this, we will share India’s successful experience with Seychelles. We will move forward together with Seychelles in ensuring the supply of affordable and quality medicines, promoting medical tourism and developing health infrastructure”, PM Modi reiterated. He hailed how the Indian community settled in Seychelles has made remarkable contributiond to the social and economic life of Seychelles and also strengthened our friendship from generation to generation. “Through close cooperation in the field of technology, we are giving our partnership a futuristic direction”. he added.
Strategic outcomes to foster India-Seychelles partnership
- India-Seychelles joint vision for Sustainability, Economic Growth and Security through Enhanced Linkages(SESEL). The vision will aid to boost security and defence cooperation, trade and investment ties between both the countries
- Refit of PS Zoroaster for Seychelles Coast Guard which aims at fostering maritime security and combating illegal activiies in the Indian Ocean Region(IOR) in lines with India’s MAHASAGAR vision. It also ensures search and rescue cooperation
- India gifts 10 ambulances to Seychelles as a symbol of health assistance, developmental partnership and solidifying people-to-people ties
- Provision of 1000MT of grains and lentils under special economic package to ensure food security in Seychelle. This aligns with India’s commitment to the welfare of the Global South as a first responder
- India gifts 10 utility vehicles and 5 sets of Laser Radial class boats along with spares to the Seychelles Defence Forces which aims to strengthen defence and security cooperation in the IOR
- Establishment of Seychelles Hydrographic Unit in Seychelles with the Indian assistance to support the blue economy initiatives and enhance maritime domain awareness
- Arrangement on pharmacopoeial cooperation that will facilitate access for Indian medicines in Seychelles for affordable price and at utmost quality. This also aims to enhance India’s position as a credible global pharmaceutical partner
- Cooperation in the field of knowledge sharing for successful implementation of digital solutions at population scale to yield digital transformation at Seychelles
- Cooperation between Indian Meteorological Department and Seychelles Meteorological Authority for technical and scientific collaboration. This aids for disaster preparedness, early warning mechanism and helps to deepen scientific and institutional cooperation
- Cooperation in ocean observation, ocean services, capacity building, data sharing and maritime scientific research
- Cooperation between National Centre for Good Governance and Public Service Bureau of Seychelles for to foster capacity building, training programmes for the civil servants of Seychelles
- Cooperation between National Cooperative Exports Limited and Seychelles Trading Corporation on Procurement of the food commodites and strengthen agricultural supply chain
- Cultural exchange programme between India and Seychelles for the years of 2026 to 2030
List of Outcomes (14 in total)
State Visit of President of Seychelles to India ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/RQbA3OwL1M
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) February 9, 2026
India’s Special Economic Package to Seychelles
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a special economic package of 175 million dollars for Seychelles to support concrete projects in areas such as social housing, e-mobility, vocational training, health, defence and maritime security. “Development partnership has been a strong foundation of India-Seychelles relations. All our efforts have been based on the priorities and needs of Seychelles. Moving forward in this direction, today we are going to announce a Special Economic Package of 175 million dollars. This package will support concrete projects in areas such as social housing, e-mobility, vocational training, health, defence and maritime security”, PM Modi said.
PM Modi underlined that the package would create new employement and skill-training opportunties for the people and especially for the youth of Seychelles. PM Modi said that the visit by the President comes at an opportune time with India and Seychelles celebrating 50 years of their diplomatic ties. “I am confident that these milestones will inspire us to keep attaining new heights”. He said, “India and Seychelles are not just connected through diplomacy; we are connected through the Indian Ocean. Trade between the two countries has grown, cultures have blended, and our relationship has become stronger. India and Seychelles are connected not just by geography, but by history, trust and shared vision for the future”.
“The greatest strength of India-Seychelles relations is our people-to-people ties. The Indian community settled in Seychelles has made a remarkable contribution to the social and economic life of Seychelles. At the same time, they have also strengthened our friendship from generation to generation”, PM added. PM Modi further underlined how as a trustworthy partner and maritime neighbour, “Seychelles is an integral part of India’s MAHASAGAR vision. Our cooperation spans across land, water and sea”.
PM Modi invited as the Guest of Honour for Seychelles Independence Day
Seychelles President Patrick Herminie invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the Guest of Honour for the 50th anniversary of Seychelles’ Independence Day. He made the announcement during the joint press meet with PM Modi. He said that his visit is reflective of the longstanding friendship and mutual respect between India and Seychelles. President Herminie said, “This year marks a significant milestone in our relations. In June, Seychelles and India will commemorate the golden jubilee of their diplomatic relations, coinciding with Seychelles’ 50th anniversary of independence, to which Mr Modi will be invited as a guest of honour. We have shared our shared vision on cooperation over the next 5 years”.
He said that as Indian Ocean states, maritime security and regional stability remain central to the relationship and said that they reaffirmed the shared responsibility for promoting safety, stability and lawful activity in the western Indian ocean. “Our collaboration in maritime surveillance, security and defence capacity development continues to play a vital role in countering international crime, piracy and maritime threats and safeguarding critical sea lanes”, Seychelles President further added.
Seychelles further highlighted the support given to renewable energy and resilience. He praised the ITEC program and noted that it has strengthened the country’s institutional capabilities and human resources.
“Tourism remains a cornerstone of the Seychelles economy, and India represents a growing market supported by improving air connectivity”, he added. He further noted that the discussions focussed on trade, investment and opportunities for greater collaborations.
“India’s growing role in health diplomacy, including the sharing of medical expertise, institutional partnerships and specialised care, has delivered tangible benefits to the people of Seychelles. We signed a Memorandum of Understanding on sharing successful digital solutions for digital transformation”, the President added.
(With Inputs from ANI)
