Seychelles Remains Integral For New Delhi's IOR Strategy

During the Prime Minister's visit, India and Seychelles signed 19 agreements and pacts, covering defence, healthcare, agriculture, and digital transformation. 

This itself reflects the depth of the partnership.

Umbrella Line Of Credit Agreement

One of the standout agreements during the visit was the Umbrella Line of Credit Agreement between the Government of Seychelles and Export-Import Bank of India. The agreement aims to support the implementation of projects under the Special Economic Package (SEP), which was announced during the visit of Seychelles President Patrick Herminie to India in February 2026. This was aimed at advancing priority infrastructure and development initiatives in Seychelles. The amount of the Line of Credit stands at ₹1,250 crore.

It is not often that such high-level back-to-back visits are organised between any two countries. The Prime Minister attended the 50th Anniversary celebrations of the Independence of Seychelles as the Guest of Honour on June 28. He became the first Indian Prime Minister to attend the Independence Day celebrations in Seychelles; and it coincided with 50 years of diplomatic ties between India and Seychelles.

To commemorate these special occasions, contingents of Indian armed forces participated in the national parade held to mark the golden jubilee of the independence of Seychelles. The Indian contingent comprised personnel from the Assam Regiment, the Indian Navy, and an Indian Navy Marching Band, reflecting the longstanding defence partnership between the two countries. As part of the celebrations and in keeping with established tradition, Indian Naval Ships Tarkash and Ikshak docked at Port Victoria in Seychelles.

Addressing the National Assembly of Seychelles, the Prime Minister underlined the significance of Seychelles in India’s outreach to the region and Africa. “The first country in the Indian Ocean region that I visited as Prime Minister was Seychelles in 2015. It was also my first visit to Africa as Prime Minister. I came here because I believed that Seychelles occupies a special place in India's vision for the Indian Ocean. Today, as I return here after a decade, that conviction is stronger than ever…," the Prime Minister said. "The Indian Ocean does not separate India and Seychelles. It connects us. That is why we meet not as strangers. We meet as old friends,” Modi affirmed in his address, recalling the centuries-old bonds.

The Indian Prime Minister was conferred with a Presidential Distinction, Guardian of the Blue Horizon, by the President of Seychelles. 

Defence Partnership

Maritime security and defence constitute a key and time-tested pillar of the bilateral partnership. India, during the Prime Minister's visit, gifted a Fast Patrol Vessel (PS Lespwar), 10 utility vehicles, ambulances, and five boats to the Seychelles Defence Force. Additionally, India completed the refit of the Coast Guard vessel PS Zoroaster and upgraded a Dornier maritime surveillance aircraft with a glass cockpit.

India revived the deployment of four military advisers to assist Seychelles' defence and security officials in strengthening operational coordination, planning, and institutional capacity.

Except for Mauritius, Seychelles is the only country that deploys Indian security advisers. The two nations conduct joint military drills, most notably the tri-services Exercise Lamitiye, which enhances interoperability between the Indian Armed Forces and the Seychelles Defence Forces.

Seychelles and India both seek a world where development is more inclusive. The vision is captured in the idea of MAHASAGAR - Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions. This vision recognises that futures are inter-connected and inter-dependent. 

(The writer is a commentator on geopolitics. Views expressed are personal.)