नवीनतम
India to extend USD 175 mn economic package to Seychelles: PM
NEW DELHI [Maha Media]:
NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: India on Monday announced USD 175 million as development assistance to Seychelles after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held wide-ranging talks with the island nation's President Patrick Herminie. The two sides also agreed on a broad vision to expand cooperation in areas of sustainability, trade and economy and security. Herminie is on a six-day visit to India.
At a joint press meet with Seychelles President Patrick Herminie following their talks at Hyderabad House in Delhi, PM Modi said, "Development partnership has been a strong foundation of India-Seychelles relations. All our efforts have been based on Seychelles' priorities and needs. Moving forward in this direction, today we are going to announce a Special Economic Package of $175 million. This package will support concrete projects in sectors such as social housing, e-mobility, vocational training, health, defence and maritime security."
These initiatives, according to the Prime Minister, will create employment and skill development opportunities for the people of Seychelles, especially the youth."India's ITEC program has played a significant role in capacity building in Seychelles. I am pleased that an MoU is being signed today for the training of Seychelles civil servants in India," he added.
PM Modi announced that India and Seychelles agreed to continue exploring new opportunities to strengthen economic cooperation between the two nations. He stated that two nations will move forward in fintech and digital solutions and promote trade in local currencies.
"The ties between India and Seychelles are not limited to diplomatic contact. The waves of the Indian Ocean have connected our people for centuries. On its shores, trade between the two countries has grown, cultures have blended, and the traditions of faith have become stronger. India and Seychelles are connected not just by geography, but by history, trust and shared vision for the future," he said.
PM Modi called Seychelles an integral part of India's MAHASAGAR Vision, and said, "Our relationship spans the past, the present, and the future. As a maritime neighbour and trusted partner, Seychelles is an integral part of India's MAHASAGAR Vision. Our cooperation encompasses land, sea, and air."
Extending a warm welcome to Herminie and his delegation to India and wishing him on his election as President of Seychelles."This is his first visit to India as President. His visit is taking place in an auspicious year, as Seychelles celebrates its 50th Independence Day, and we commemorate the 50th anniversary of our diplomatic relations. I am confident that these milestones will continue to inspire us to reach new heights," he added.
Earlier the Seychelles President also paid his trubutes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.
Earlier on Monday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called upon Seychelles President Patrick Herminie and appreciated the President's support to vision MAHASAGAR.
President Herminie arrived in the national capital on Sunday after completing engagements in Chennai and Mumbai as part of his ongoing State Visit to India.
His visit, which will continue until February 10, is his first trip to India since assuming office in October 2025 and coincides with the celebration of 50 years of diplomatic relations between India and Seychelles.
According to a post on X by the Ministry of External Affairs, during his engagements in Chennai and Mumbai, Herminie met key stakeholders across sectors, including governance, industry, coastal management, and health, to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
MEA underscored Seychelles' strategic importance to India, describing the island nation as a key maritime neighbour and a key partner in India's Vision MAHASAGAR, underscoring New Delhi's commitment to cooperation with the Global South.
"Seychelles is a key maritime neighbour of India and an important partner in India's Vision MAHASAGAR and its commitment to the Global South," the post added.
During his stay in New Delhi, President Herminie is expected to meet President Droupadi Murmu and hold discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The discussions are expected to focus on strengthening bilateral ties as well as exchanging views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.
In Chennai, Herminie, along with Seychelles Minister of Health Marvin Nolan Fanny, met with Ravi Pachamuthu, Chairman, SIMS Hospital, to discuss a collaborative roadmap aimed at strengthening healthcare services in the island nation through sustainable and long-term healthcare solutions such as super-speciality medical outreach, hospital infrastructure development, digital health integration, workforce support, affordable medicines, and dialysis expansion.
Meanwhile, in Mumbai, the Seychelles President met with Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, and held discussions at the India-Seychelles Business Roundtable to explore investment and cooperation opportunities.
The engagement in Mumbai aimed at strengthening ties with India and Seychelles, with a focus on maritime trade, the blue economy, and sustainable development.
