Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday highlighted the “substantive outcomes” of his State Visit to Seychelles, announcing a series of agreements and development initiatives aimed at deepening the strategic partnership between the two countries across sectors including digital payments, healthcare, defence, agriculture, maritime cooperation and space.
In a post on X, PM Modi said, “There are substantive outcomes in this Seychelles visit. Key MoUs have been signed. These include an MoU for the implementation of UPI in Seychelles, MoU on Jan Aushadhi and more. We will keep working in futuristic sectors like climate action, green hydrogen, energy, the Blue Economy and more.”
The visit, undertaken at the invitation of Seychelles President Dr. Patrick Herminie, coincided with the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Seychelles’ Independence, which PM Modi attended as the Guest of Honour.
Reflecting on the visit, the Prime Minister said it was an honour to participate in the National Day celebrations, describing the occasion as a tribute to the remarkable journey of the Seychellois people over the past 50 years.
“India is proud to stand alongside Seychelles as a trusted friend and partner in its development journey. Our partnership continues to grow stronger with shared values and closer people-to-people ties. I am confident our friendship will grow even further in the times to come,” he said.
He also shared pics from the celebrations and thanked President Herminie, the Government and the people of Seychelles for the invitation. PM Modi noted that contingents from the Assam Regiment and the Indian Navy participated in the National Day parade, calling it another reflection of the enduring friendship between the two countries.
Wide-ranging agreements signed
India and Seychelles signed key agreements covering diplomacy, digital payments, healthcare, agriculture, extradition, maritime cooperation, infrastructure financing, space cooperation and healthcare infrastructure.
Among the major agreements was an MoU between NPCI International Payments Ltd. and the Central Bank of Seychelles to facilitate the implementation of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in Seychelles and strengthen cooperation in the digital payments ecosystem.
India also signed an agreement under the Jan Aushadhi Scheme through HLL Lifecare Limited to enable the export of affordable generic medicines and medical supplies to Seychelles.
The two countries concluded an Extradition Treaty aimed at strengthening cooperation against transnational crime and enhancing legal mechanisms for the extradition of fugitives.
Another important agreement was signed on cooperation in the peaceful exploration and use of outer space, paving the way for collaboration in satellite applications, space technology and capacity building.
The two sides also signed an MoU to support the preliminary preparations for the construction of a new National Hospital in Seychelles, while another agreement will facilitate the recognition of Indian seafarers’ training and certification for service on Seychelles-flagged vessels.
An Umbrella Line of Credit Agreement between the Government of Seychelles and the Export-Import Bank of India was also signed to support infrastructure and development projects under the Special Economic Package announced during President Herminie’s visit to India earlier this year.
India and Seychelles further expanded agricultural cooperation through an agreement between the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Seychelles’ Agriculture Department, accompanied by a work plan for 2026-2031 focusing on joint research, training and technical collaboration.
In the diplomatic sphere, the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service and Seychelles’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora signed an MoU to enhance institutional cooperation through training programmes and capacity building.
Development assistance and new initiatives
India also announced a series of development assistance initiatives during the visit.
These include the gifting of a Fast Patrol Vessel, 10 utility vehicles, five Laser Radial class boats to the Seychelles Defence Force, six ambulances, 500 metric tonnes of rice and 8,500 metric tonnes of cement to support Seychelles’ development needs.
Several new initiatives were also launched, including a commemorative logo marking 50 years of diplomatic relations between India and Seychelles, the virtual ground-breaking ceremony for a Professional and Technical Education Centre, the completion of the refit of Seychelles Coast Guard vessel PS Zoroaster, and the upgradation of a Dornier aircraft with a modern glass cockpit.
Seychelles also joined the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), further strengthening cooperation between the two countries in disaster resilience and sustainable infrastructure.
