Prime Minister Narendra Modi, from June 27, embarked on a three-day visit to Seychelles, an island nation in the Indian Ocean off the eastern coast of Africa. During this visit, the Indian Prime Minister will attend Seychelles’ Golden Jubilee National Day celebration as the Guest of Honour.
This visit also marks India’s fifty-year-long diplomatic tie with the island nation since its independence in 1976. Over the last five decades, the two nations have developed a strong strategic relationship, making it the longest-running maritime partnership India has had in the Indian Ocean.
However, given its small size, the question that arises is: How is a small island nation of such huge importance to India?
Why Seychelles Is An Important Strategic Partner
Regardless of its geographical size, India has shared a strong strategic tie with Seychelles since 1976. Earlier this year, in February, the island country’s President, Dr Patrick Herminie, paid a visit to India.
Before leaving for his visit to Seychelles, Prime Minister Modi expressed, “I also look forward to interacting with the vibrant Indian community in Seychelles, who have been nurturing the special friendship between India and Seychelles for generations and serving as a living bridge between our two nations.”
Geographically, Seychelles is a small archipelago of about 460 square kilometres, comprising 115 islands spread across the Western Indian Ocean Region (WIOR). This dispersed setting of islands creates a vast maritime space, placing Seychelles near some of the busiest Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs) connecting West Asia, East Africa, South Asia, and the Indo-Pacific.
These are the corridors that facilitate the supply of goods and raw materials, food products, and fuel energy sources. Despite being a small nation, Seychelles exercises its rights over an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) that monitors such a vast maritime space.
Partnership with Seychelles not only benefits India in strengthening its security but also stabilises the Western Indian Ocean Region.
The Indian Ocean Advantage
Over the last decade, the Indian Ocean has become one of the most prominent geopolitical hotspots. With a large share of global trade and energy supplies passing through it, several countries have been trying to strengthen their standing in this region.
Even though India and Seychelles have never described their partnership as being aimed at any particular nation, India’s strategic tie with the island nation has given India a valuable stance. With China’s growing economic presence and naval activities across the Indian Ocean, India’s maritime strategy with Seychelles has only become more important, as India positions itself as a long-term, reliable partner.
During a joint press conference with Seychelles President Patrick Herminie, PM Modi said on the second day of his three-day visit, “Our vision is to make the Indian Ocean an Ocean of Opportunity. We believe the Indian Ocean is our shared home. Its security, sustainability, and prosperity are our shared responsibility.
We will continue to explore new opportunities for the industries of both our countries. Work will also be done to enhance connectivity between India and Seychelles.”
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The Historical Ties Between India And Seychelles
The relationship between India and Seychelles has a history that dates back well before their formal diplomatic partnership, which commenced on June 29, 1976. Historical records suggest that the first documented Indians arrived in Seychelles in 1770, and eventually, trade and regular shipping routes further strengthened their relationship.
After this, India has remained closely connected with the island state by participating in its Independence Day celebrations, making it a tradition for the Indian military to take part in such events every year.
Further, when India first established its mission in Victoria in 1979, the Indian High Commissioner was accredited to Seychelles. Further, in 2008, Seychelles also established its resident diplomatic mission in India’s capital.
PM Modi’s Diplomatic Visits
Prime Minister Modi’s current visit is an example of how the relationship has grown between the two nations over the years.
A major turning point was in 2015 when PM Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Seychelles after 34 years. As a result of this visit, the two nations signed four agreements to strengthen their cooperation.
Along with this, India also inaugurated the Coastal Surveillance Radar System (CSRS) and gifted Seychelles a second Dornier maritime surveillance aircraft. A three-month visa for the citizens of Seychelles travelling to India was also introduced.
Further, President Patrick Herminie paid a visit to India earlier this year in February, wherein the two countries agreed to strengthen their relationship in areas like digital public infrastructure, renewable energy, sustainable development, etc.
The Expansion of Mutual Vision
Back in 2015, Prime Minister Modi introduced the Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) doctrine that emphasised how countries could work together to maintain maritime security.
However, that vision has advanced over the years. The SAGAR doctrine was later transformed into Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions (MAHASAGAR), which focused not only on maritime security but also on sustainable development, renewable energy, healthcare, climate change, etc.
This is an example of how India and Seychelles have expanded their partnership over the years.
Trade And Commerce
Despite its small population, trade remains a dominant aspect of India-Seychelles ties. Recent figures point towards a 15 per cent growth in bilateral commerce. Between April 2024 and February 2025, the overall bilateral trade was estimated at $72.92 million. India’s exports to Seychelles include rice, textiles, pharmaceuticals, transport vehicles, etc.
Indian companies have also built a strong presence in Seychelles over the years. Names like Bharti Airtel, Tata Motors, and Ashok Leyland are among the few Indian companies aiding Seychelles in further strengthening its telecommunication and public transportation networks.
Further, Bank of Baroda, which has been operating in Victoria since 1978, is one of the oldest Indian commercial institutions operating and contributing to Seychelles.
India-Seychelles’ Digital Cooperation And Development
Apart from trade and commerce, digital cooperation has also played an important role in expanding the relationship further. Platforms like the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), Aadhaar, and DigiLocker are a few examples.
Further, under the India-Seychelles relationship, the SESEL Joint Vision identifies areas of collaboration for expansion in domains such as electronic payments, cybersecurity, digital identity systems, etc.
Another aspect of focus is climate and sustainability. Rising sea levels, extreme weather conditions, and coastal vulnerability are among the key challenges. India has taken the initiative to gradually support sustainable development.
In the joint press conference, the Seychelles President mentioned, “Development Partnership has been a strong pillar of India-Seychelles relations, guided by Seychelles’ priorities. I was especially pleased to pursue discussions on the announcement of the Special Economic Package of $175 million from the Government of India, comprising $125 million in a rupee-denominated Line of Credit and $50 million in grant assistance.”
This funding is intended to support the growth of Seychelles’ Digital Public Infrastructure, including payment systems based on India’s UPI model.
PM Modi’s visit to Seychelles marks the long-standing diplomatic relationship shared by the two nations. Over the past decades, multiple areas of growth and collaboration have strengthened ties between India and Seychelles. From maritime security to sustainable development, the partnership between the two countries continues to evolve and grow stronger.
Images: Google Images
Sources: Moneycontrol, Firstpost, The Indian Express
Find the blogger: @shubhangichoudhary_29
This post is tagged under: India, Seychelles, PM Modi, Narendra Modi, India-Seychelles Relations, Indian Ocean, Maritime Security, Geopolitics, Foreign Policy, Diplomacy, Strategic Partnership, Patrick Herminie, China, Trade, Digital Cooperation, SAGAR, MAHASAGAR, Blue Economy, Climate Resilience, Africa
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