PM Modi Begins Seychelles State Visit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi began a three-day State Visit to Seychelles on Saturday to attend the island nation’s Golden Jubilee National Day celebrations. The visit, scheduled from June 27 to 29, is focused on strengthening India’s strategic, maritime and diplomatic partnership with Seychelles.
PM Modi Seychelles Visit For National Day
PM Modi is visiting Seychelles as the Guest of Honour for the country’s National Day Golden Jubilee celebrations. The visit comes at the invitation of Seychelles President Dr Patrick Herminie and marks another important step in India’s engagement with key maritime partners in the Indian Ocean region.
The Prime Minister said Seychelles remains a valued maritime neighbour and an important partner in India’s regional vision. The visit is also expected to highlight the long-standing people-to-people and diplomatic ties between the two countries.
India Seychelles Bilateral Talks
During the visit, PM Modi is scheduled to hold talks with President Herminie to review the full spectrum of India-Seychelles cooperation. The discussions are expected to cover maritime security, defence cooperation, development partnership, blue economy, climate action and regional issues of mutual interest.
Seychelles holds strategic importance for India due to its location in the western Indian Ocean. Both countries have worked closely on maritime safety, capacity building and regional stability.
Indian Ocean Maritime Partnership
PM Modi is also expected to address the National Assembly of Seychelles and interact with members of the Indian diaspora. Indian defence personnel and Indian Navy ships are set to participate in the National Day commemorations.
Reports linking the visit to a meeting with Jonathan, the world’s oldest known living land animal, are inaccurate. Jonathan is a Seychelles-origin giant tortoise but lives on Saint Helena, not in Seychelles.
