Prime Minister Narendra Modi undertook a three-day visit to Seychelles from June 27 to 29 at the invitation of President Patrick Herminie.
He arrived in Victoria, where he was received at the airport by President Herminie, along with Cabinet ministers and senior officials, in a gesture reflecting strong bilateral ties. The welcome ceremony also featured cultural performances, including a traditional dance from Gujarat’s Kutch region.
During the visit, Modi attended Seychelles’ Golden Jubilee National Day celebrations as Guest of Honour, marking 50 years of the country’s independence from the United Kingdom. Modi visited the Seychelles National Botanical Garden as part of his cultural and environmental engagements during his trip.
In a key bilateral gesture, India handed over a “Made in India” Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) named PS LESPWAR, along with six ambulances, 10 utility vehicles and five laser-guided boats to strengthen Seychelles’ maritime surveillance and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) security. The equipment, manufactured by Goa Shipyard Limited, was formally handed over at the Seychelles Coast Guard Base in Victoria in the presence of President Patrick Herminie.
Earlier, Modi was accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honour at the State House, underscoring the close diplomatic ties between India and Seychelles.
During the same visit, he was also conferred Seychelles’ special presidential honour, the Guardian of the Blue Horizon, which he dedicated to countries working to address climate change and environmental challenges.
India, Seychelles deepen strategic partnership
Following delegation-level talks with Patrick Herminie, both leaders reviewed the full range of bilateral ties and discussed regional and international issues of shared interest. Modi said India envisions the Indian Ocean as an “Ocean of Opportunity,” where maritime security, economic growth and cooperation are guided not by size or power, but by mutual respect, trust and shared responsibility.
He added that India considers the Indian Ocean a common home and stressed that its security, sustainability and prosperity are a joint responsibility of all nations in the region. The Prime Minister also highlighted India’s willingness to share its experience in Digital Public Infrastructure with Seychelles, noting that defence and security ties between the two countries are closely linked.
Modi further said both nations will continue to explore new avenues for trade and industrial cooperation, while also working to improve connectivity and strengthen overall partnership between India and Seychelles. He held delegation-level talks with Patrick Herminie at the State House, aimed at strengthening the long-standing bilateral partnership between the two countries.
The Indian delegation included External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, and MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. The Seychelles side included Vice-President Sebastien Pillay and several key ministers handling foreign affairs, finance, trade and the blue economy.
Ahead of the formal talks, both leaders also held bilateral discussions focused on deepening cooperation across key sectors.
PM Modi connects with Indian community
Narendra Modi interacted with members of the Indian diaspora during his visit to Seychelles, meeting community representatives and posing for photographs in Victoria.
He also offered prayers at the Arul Mihu Navashakti Vinayakar Temple and paid floral tributes at the Peace Park, where a statue of Mahatma Gandhi is installed.
Modi gifts Indian handicrafts to Seychelles leaders
Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented a selection of traditional Indian handicrafts and textiles to the President of Seychelles and First Lady Veronique Herminie during his visit to the island nation.
The President received a handcrafted Moradabad brass tortoise, showcasing Uttar Pradesh's renowned brassware craftsmanship. Modi also visited the giant tortoise enclosure at the Seychelles National Botanical Garden.
The First Lady was gifted a Maheshwari silk stole from Madhya Pradesh and a Bidriware box from Karnataka, highlighting India's rich textile and metalcraft traditions.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented a selection of traditional Indian handicrafts to Seychelles leaders and their spouses during his visit. Vice President Sebastien Pillay received a Sikkim orchid painting featuring India's peacock and Seychelles' national flower, symbolising the close ties between the two nations.
Second Lady Lina Pillay was gifted a Kanchivaram silk fabric from Tamil Nadu, while National Assembly Speaker Azarel Ernesta received a handcrafted Toda embroidered shawl, showcasing the unique textile heritage of the Toda community from the Nilgiri Hills.
