VP Radhakrishnan calls on Seychelles President, discusses key aspects of bilateral partnership
New Delhi, Feb 9
Vice-President C P Radhakrishnan, called on Patrick Herminie, President of the Republic of Seychelles, in New Delhi on Monday with the two leaders exploring avenues to further strengthen bilateral cooperation across a wide range of sectors.
According to the Vice President's Secretariat, during the meeting, the two leaders discussed key aspects of India-Seychelles bilateral relations and noted that the two countries are marking 50 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
"They explored avenues to further strengthen cooperation across a wide range of sectors, including maritime security, renewable energy, the medical sector, higher education, hospitality, and digitalisation. The Vice-President fondly recalled his visit to Seychelles in October last year, when he attended the swearing-in ceremony of President Herminie. Both leaders reaffirmed their shared vision for peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indian Ocean Region," the statement added.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Seychelles President - on a State Visit to India from February 5-10 - held comprehensive and productive discussions covering the entire spectrum of bilateral relations.
PM Modi congratulated Herminie for his success in the elections held in October 2025 as the two leaders reaffirmed that India and Seychelles, as close maritime neighbours, enjoy a special and time-tested partnership built on ties of history and kinship, and nurtured by the shared values of democracy and pluralism.
Both leaders also acknowledged that Seychelles-India ties are people-centric and reinforce security and stability in the Western Indian Ocean Region. They reaffirmed Seychelles' role as an important pillar in India's Vision MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions).
Underlining the respective strengths of both nations and recognising the importance of the relationship, the two leaders announced a Joint Vision for Sustainability, Economic Growth and Security through Enhanced Linkages (SESEL).
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Herminie's State Visit coming around 100 days after his inauguration signals the shared commitment of India and Seychelles to strengthen, expand and deepen our longstanding and multifaceted bilateral partnership. It also adds significance as it coincides with the 50th year of Independence of Seychelles, and the 50th year of establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Herminie underlined India's role as a trusted partner for Seychelles and the region and expressed gratitude to New Delhi for the longstanding assistance and cooperation extended to Seychelles in achieving its development agenda.
Both sides also exchanged several MoUs in the fields of health, digital, meteorology, culture, ocean science, food and governance.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Happy to see the 50-year milestone being celebrated. India's development partnership model, focusing on health and education, is something we can be proud of. Hope the new joint vision delivers concrete benefits for both peoples.
Vision MAHASAGAR sounds impressive on paper. My respectful criticism is that we often hear about these grand visions and MoUs, but the common citizen rarely sees the tangible outcome. I hope this partnership translates into more jobs and opportunities in the coastal and maritime sectors for Indians as well.
As someone who has visited Seychelles, the cultural and people-to-people connections are strong. The exchange in meteorology and ocean science is particularly smart given our shared challenges with climate change in the Indian Ocean region.
Good move. In today's geopolitical scenario, having stable, friendly partners in the Indian Ocean is a strategic necessity. This reinforces security and counters other influences. The timing with their 50th year of Independence adds a nice symbolic touch.
The hospitality sector collaboration is interesting. Could lead to more tourism exchanges and skill development. Hopefully, it makes visiting those beautiful islands a bit easier for Indian tourists!
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