PM Modi lauds Indian community's contribution to Seychelles' progress
Victoria, June 27
Kicking off his State Visit to the archipelagic island, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday lauded the Indian community's contribution towards Seychelles' progress.
"The Indian community in Seychelles accorded a very warm welcome this evening. Their deep affection for India and enduring contribution to Seychelles' progress are truly admirable. The Indian diaspora has long served as a vibrant bridge between our two nations, strengthening people-to-people ties and enriching our shared journey," PM Modi wrote on X.
PM Modi arrived in Seychelles on Saturday afternoon to attend the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the country's National Day as the Guest of Honour and further strengthen the bilateral cooperation.
On arrival, following the playing of the national anthems of both countries, PM Modi and President Patrick Herminie received the military salute during the Guard of Honour inspection.
The Prime Minister also briefly enjoyed a vibrant cultural welcome, witnessing a traditional Seychellois 'moutya' performance by a local group of dancers, followed by a performance of 'Nrutya', an authentic folk dance from Kutch, , presented in his honour.
The folk performance was delivered by 18 members of the Seychellois Indian diaspora, originally from Kutch in Gujarat, celebrating cultural heritage and the spirit of Independence.
This marks PM Modi's second State Visit to Seychelles. Earlier this year, President Herminie undertook a State Visit to India.
"India remains one of Seychelles' closest and most valued development partners, supporting numerous infrastructure, healthcare, education and community development initiatives while working closely with Seychelles to promote peace, security and stability in the Indian Ocean region," the Office of the President of Seychelles stated ahead of PM Modi's arrival.
According to Seychelles President, PM Modi's visit reflects the longstanding friendship and enduring partnership between both countries which have enjoyed diplomatic relations since Seychelles attained Independence in 1976.
During the visit, PM Modi and President Herminie are expected to hold bilateral discussions aimed at further strengthening cooperation between the two countries. The Prime Minister will also participate in official engagements commemorating Seychelles' Golden Jubilee Independence celebrations.
Over the past five decades, the two countries have continued to strengthen cooperation across a wide range of sectors, including maritime security, defence, healthcare, education, capacity building, climate resilience, sustainable development and the blue economy.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Lovely to see Indian cultural performances like Nrutya from Kutch being showcased so far away! It's amazing how our traditions travel and connect communities across continents. More of this cultural diplomacy, please. 🌺
While I appreciate the diaspora's role, let's also recognize the bilateral substance here. Seychelles is critical for our Indian Ocean security posture—naval cooperation, anti-piracy, and countering Chinese influence. The cultural exchange is nice, but the strategic dimension matters more in today's geopolitics.
Kutch to Seychelles—what a journey! Our Gujarati brothers and sisters are everywhere, building businesses and bridges. The PM is right to acknowledge their contributions. It's also good to see India investing in development projects there, not just giving speeches.
As a Westerner who's visited Seychelles, I can say the Indian community there is vibrant and well-integrated. PM Modi's visit highlights how India's soft power is growing globally. It's a smart move for India to nurture these relationships—small countries matter a lot in international forums.
Beautiful to see the cultural exchange—Moutya and Nrutya together! But I hope this visit results in concrete agreements, especially on climate resilience and blue economy. Small island nations face existential threats from rising sea levels, and India's technical expertise can truly help them. 🤝
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.