NEW DELHI: India on Monday announced a special development assistance package of USD 175 million for Seychelles following wide-ranging talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Seychelles President Patrick Herminie, signalling a new phase in bilateral ties anchored in maritime security, sustainable development and economic cooperation.
The package, announced during a joint media statement, comprises USD 125 million in rupee-denominated Line of Credit and USD 50 million in grant assistance, and will support projects in public housing, mobility, vocational training, health, defence and maritime security. “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 USD 175 million,” Modi said.
President Herminie, who is on a six-day visit to India, described the announcement as a reflection of the long-standing friendship and mutual trust between the two countries. He said both sides shared a clear vision for cooperation over the next five years, particularly as Indian Ocean states with shared interests in maritime security and regional stability.
India and Seychelles also adopted a vision document to expand cooperation in sustainability, trade, economic growth and security, and signed seven Memoranda of Understanding across sectors including health, meteorology, electronics and information technology, good governance and civil services training. Among them was an agreement on technical and scientific collaboration between the India Meteorological Department and the Seychelles Meteorological Authority, and an MoU on digital transformation under which India will share its experience in digital public infrastructure.
Highlighting the strategic importance of Seychelles, Modi said the island nation holds a special place in India’s Vision MAHASAGAR — Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions — India’s expanded maritime framework that builds on its earlier SAGAR doctrine. “India and Seychelles are connected not just by geography, but by history, trust and a shared vision for the future,” the Prime Minister said, describing Seychelles as a trusted maritime neighbour in the Indian Ocean Region. Seychelles’ geographic location along key sea lanes linking Asia, Africa and Europe gives it strategic significance in efforts to combat piracy, illegal fishing and other maritime threats, areas where India has steadily expanded cooperation with Indian Ocean partners.
Modi also underscored India’s role as a reliable partner in health, citing the supply of affordable medicines, medical tourism and support for health infrastructure. He welcomed the MoU on training Seychelles’ civil servants in India, calling capacity-building a core pillar of the development partnership. People-to-people ties remain a key strength of the relationship, Modi said, noting the contribution of the Indian community in Seychelles to its social and economic life. “They have strengthened our friendship from generation to generation,” he added. President Herminie invited Prime Minister Modi to attend Seychelles’ 50th Independence Day celebrations as guest of honour.