PM Modi in Seychelles: India seeks Indian Ocean as ‘Ocean of Opportunity’

India envisions an Indian Ocean where maritime security is ensured alongside economic prosperity and where partnership is not based on size, but on mutual respect and trust, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a three-day visit to Seychelles, said on Sunday.

“Our vision is to make the Indian Ocean an Ocean of Opportunity,” he said, after delegation-level talks with Seychelles President Patrick Herminie, during which the two sides reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest, including challenges in the Indian Ocean Region like illegal fishing, drug trafficking and piracy.

Addressing the National Assembly later in the day, Modi said the Global South, especially island nations, was the most impacted by climate change, and called for climate action guided by “fairness, responsibility and equity”. He said those who had contributed the least to climate change should not bear the greatest burden of its consequences. “This is the essence of climate justice,” he said.

Modi, the guest of honour for Seychelles’ National Day celebrations, was also conferred with the honorary ‘Guardian of the Blue Horizon’ title for his commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable development.

The key outcomes of talks between the two sides reflected the broadening of New Delhi’s engagement with the strategically located Indian Ocean archipelagic nation, expanding cooperation across defence and maritime security to connectivity, capacity building, development partnership, digital payments, space, healthcare, agriculture and education.

“We believe the Indian Ocean is our shared home. Its security, sustainability and prosperity are our shared responsibility,” Modi said after the talks. He said the two sides discussed making bilateral economic cooperation more resilient and future-ready.

“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,” he said.

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In his statement, Herminie said: “As maritime neighbours, security in the Indian Ocean Region remains central to our relationship. We reaffirmed Seychelles’ special place in India’s Mahasagar vision. We affirmed our commitment to counter piracy, drug trafficking, illegal fishing, and cross-border crime.”

He also acknowledged India’s support in strengthening the country’s maritime capabilities through surveillance, hydrography and defence capacity building.

“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 (Rs 1,651 crore) from the Government of India, comprising $125 million in a rupee-denominated Line of Credit and $50 million in grant assistance,” Herminie said.

In his address to the National Assembly later in the day, Modi again underlined the shared vision regarding the security and sustainability of the Indian Ocean, affirming that it “connects” the two countries.

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Calling it his “special honour” to be the first Indian PM to address the Assembly, he said: “The Indian Ocean does not separate India and Seychelles. It connects us. That is why we meet not as strangers, but as old friends.”

“As maritime neighbours, we recognise that the security of one adds to the security of the other. The prosperity of one contributes to the prosperity of the other. The stability of the region benefits us all,” he said. “Our cooperation in maritime security and capacity building reflects our shared commitment to a safer and more secure Indian Ocean Region,” he added.

He said the Global South, especially island nations, was bearing the brunt of climate change, as he underlined the need for equitable climate action. “The Global South, and especially the island nations, are the most impacted by climate change. Its effects are already visible on our coastlines, in the marine ecosystem, in weather patterns, and in our communities,” he said.

He further said that India and Seychelles shared the vision of a world where development was more inclusive and reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the interests of the Global South. “This is the spirit that unites the Global South. And this is the vision that India and Seychelles will continue to advance together,” he said.

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“The connections between our cultures are visible in everyday life. They can be felt in the flavours of kharik, samosa and chutney. They can be found in the celebrations of Deepavali, Thai Pongal, and the garba dance during Navratri. This is the Creole spirit that gives us great confidence in the future of our friendship,” Modi said.

Noting that Seychelles’ maritime territory is spread over 1.4 million square kilometres of the western Indian Ocean, Modi said this makes it “not a small island State but a large ocean country.”

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the outcomes of the talks between the two sides included an extradition treaty aimed at strengthening cross-border crime cooperation, an agreement on cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space, an agreement to advance UPI-based digital payments in Seychelles, an umbrella line of credit agreement with the Export-Import Bank of India, and an agreement for preliminary preparations for a new Seychelles National Hospital.

Responding to a question at the media briefing in the evening over India’s role on Assumption Island, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said the issue was not specifically discussed during the talks. But, he said, New Delhi would be “open to hearing about this” should Seychelles government officials raise the matter.

“Any project that we undertake in Seychelles or for that matter any foreign country, is ultimately guided by the priorities and the interests of the host government and the authorities in the host country,” he said.

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The two sides also announced the gifting of a fast patrol vessel to Seychelles, the handover of 10 utility vehicles and five Laser Radial class boats to the Seychelles Defence Force, the completion of the refit of PS Zoroaster for the Seychelles Coast Guard and the upgradation of a Dornier aircraft with a glass cockpit.

Other development initiatives included the handover of six ambulances, 500 metric tonnes of rice and 8,500 metric tonnes of cement, the launch of a commemorative logo marking 50 years of diplomatic relations and the virtual ground-breaking ceremony for a Professional and Technical Education Centre, the MEA said in a series of posts on X.

Meanwhile, the Leader of Opposition of Seychelles, Bernard Georges, also called on Modi.