Seychelles First Lady Veronique Herminie on Sunday described Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s State Visit as a significant milestone that reaffirms the deep-rooted ties between India and the island nation, saying it strengthens decades of friendship, trade and development cooperation.
Speaking to ANI, the First Lady said PM Modi’s visit carries immense significance as India and Seychelles celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations. She noted that the Indian diaspora accounts for around 10 per cent of Seychelles’ population and said the visit would further deepen bilateral engagement across multiple sectors.
“It is very, very important for Seychelles. It sends the right message, given that India and Seychelles are also celebrating that many years, in terms of relationship and friendship. The Indian diaspora in Seychelles is quite big, it represents about 10% of our population. I’m pretty certain that they are definitely welcoming the idea of the Prime Minister visiting our country. It also cements the trade and business relationship that we have with India. Seychelles has received a lot of assistance from India, especially in the medical field, education, and the military. This visit is definitely a very important one for us.”
Looking ahead, the Seychelles First Lady expressed hope that the partnership would continue to expand beyond the 50th anniversary, with greater cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including commerce, investment, tourism and fisheries.
“We have a relationship in terms of the medical field, education, and even commerce and investment. If, after this 50th anniversary, this relationship can keep growing, then we can also look at other areas, especially areas of interest for Seychelles. I would like to welcome the people of India to visit Seychelles. We have much to offer in terms of relaxation and that should hopefully, over the years, grow that partnership even more,” she said.
Sylvanne Lemiel, Leader of Government Business in the National Assembly of Seychelles, also welcomed Modi’s visit, saying it would further strengthen bilateral cooperation and parliamentary engagement between the two countries.
“Indian-Seychelles cooperation has strengthened a lot. It will be stronger now, and it’s our 50th anniversary and 50 years I can say also friendship with India. Therefore, as the years go by, the relationship itself becomes stronger. So, I think that with his visit here and addressing us in the National Assembly today will strengthen the tie between the National Assembly and the Parliament in India,” she said.
Lemiel said the proposed India-Seychelles Parliamentary Committee would boost institutional cooperation through exchanges and capacity-building initiatives.
“It is very, very important because in the diplomatic cooperation that we have, I think the National Assembly will also have a committee, India-Seychelles Parliamentary Committee and this is very, very important for us because I think that it will help us with exchanges, trainings for our staff, and we are supposed to have our new building also. We have just passed our National Assembly Administration Bill, meaning we are financially autonomous now. And I think India will play a very, very big role in ensuring that Parliamentary Seychelles achieve its goal,” she said.
Prime Minister Modi is on a three-day State Visit to Seychelles from June 27 to June 29 at the invitation of President Dr Patrick Herminie.
(ANI)
