New Delhi, June 28 -- India and Seychelles on Sunday significantly expanded their strategic partnership by unveiling 19 agreements and initiatives covering defence, maritime security, digital payments, healthcare, education, space cooperation and development assistance, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the two countries share responsibility for ensuring that the Indian Ocean remains secure, sustainable and prosperous.
Holding delegation-level talks with Seychelles President Patrick Herminie during his three-day state visit, Modi said India envisions an Indian Ocean where security and economic growth go hand in hand and where partnerships are built on mutual respect rather than the size of nations.
"We believe the Indian Ocean is our shared home; its security, sustainability and prosperity are our shared responsibility. This spirit forms the foundation of our MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) Vision," Modi said after the talks.
Calling the Indian Ocean "an ocean of opportunity", Modi said India and Seychelles would continue to strengthen cooperation in defence, connectivity, technology, digital infrastructure and emerging sectors while making their economic partnership more resilient and future-ready. He said the security of India and Seychelles was "inseparable" and affirmed that close cooperation in the sector would continue.
The agreements announced after the talks reflected the widening scope of bilateral ties. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), they included an extradition treaty, an agreement on the peaceful uses of outer space, a pact to introduce UPI-based digital payments in Seychelles, an umbrella line of credit agreement with the Export-Import Bank of India and an agreement for preliminary preparations for a new Seychelles National Hospital.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said the umbrella line of credit, worth Rs 1,250 crore and to be extended in Indian rupees, would support priority development projects in Seychelles.
The two countries also signed agreements on diplomatic training, agricultural research and education, recognition of training and certification of seafarers serving on Seychelles-flagged vessels, and cooperation in space exploration and its peaceful applications.
India and Seychelles also agreed to deepen financial and technological cooperation through an agreement between NPCI International Payments Ltd. and the Central Bank of Seychelles to introduce UPI-based digital payments in the island nation.
In the healthcare sector, an agreement between HLL Lifecare Ltd. and Seychelles' health ministry under the Jan Aushadhi scheme aims to improve access to affordable, quality Indian medicines. India also handed over six ambulances, while Misri said Indian paramedics had reached Seychelles to train local technicians and help integrate the vehicles into the country's healthcare system.
As part of its development partnership, India gifted a fast patrol vessel, 10 utility vehicles and five Laser Radial class boats to the Seychelles Defence Force. The two sides also marked the completion of the refit of PS Zoroaster for the Seychelles Coast Guard and the upgradation of a Dornier aircraft with a glass cockpit.
Additional assistance included the supply of 500 metric tonnes of rice and 8,500 metric tonnes of cement, the launch of a commemorative logo marking 50 years of diplomatic relations and a virtual ground-breaking ceremony for a Professional and Technical Education Centre.
Misri said President Herminie had also sought India's support for an Advanced Light Helicopter and assistance in establishing centres dedicated to cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. Modi welcomed the proposals and indicated that India would examine them "with a very positive frame of mind", with further discussions to follow.
The visit coincides with the 50th anniversary of Seychelles' independence as well as five decades of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Modi noted that the partnership had evolved from friendship to trust and then into cooperation that directly benefits the people of both countries.
Recalling President Herminie's visit to India earlier this year, Modi said work was progressing under a special assistance package worth USD 175 million covering social housing, transport, skill development, food security, education and defence.
He said cooperation in energy and climate action would continue to expand, including in clean energy and green hydrogen, while describing the Blue Economy as a natural and strategic pillar of bilateral ties. Modi also said India would share its successful experience in digital public infrastructure with Seychelles.
Addressing Seychelles' National Assembly later, Modi said the Indian Ocean connects rather than divides the two countries.
"As maritime neighbours, we recognise that the security of one adds to the security of the other. The prosperity of one contributes to the prosperity of the other. And the stability of the region benefits us all," he said.
He added that cooperation in maritime security, hydrography, capacity building and maritime domain awareness reflected the shared commitment of both countries to regional stability. Modi also said climate action must be guided by fairness, responsibility and equity, describing climate justice as essential for island nations and the Global South.
President Herminie said maritime security remained central to bilateral relations, with both countries reaffirming cooperation against piracy, drug trafficking, illegal fishing and cross-border crime.
During the visit, Herminie conferred upon Modi the honorary title "Guardian of the Blue Horizon", the first time Seychelles has bestowed the distinction. The award recognises his contributions to environmental conservation, climate resilience, sustainable development, the Blue Economy and support for Small Island Developing States.
Accepting the honour, Modi dedicated it to countries confronting the challenges of climate change.
"I humbly accept this honour and dedicate it to all those countries that are fighting the challenge of climate change and consider environmental protection their responsibility towards future generations," he said, adding that India stood ready to do whatever was necessary to make the planet "greener and sustainable".
The honour adds to a growing list of international recognitions received by Modi and comes ahead of his participation as the Guest of Honour at Seychelles' National Day golden jubilee celebrations.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.