Overview

The Prime Minister of India undertook a State Visit to Seychelles as Guest of Honour for its 50th National Day celebrations, coinciding with five decades of India-Seychelles diplomatic relations. The visit resulted in multiple agreements covering digital payments, healthcare, defence, space, agriculture, and maritime cooperation.

Key Outcomes of the Visit

Digital & Financial Cooperation

  • UPI Deployment: MoU between NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL) and Central Bank of Seychelles for rolling out India's Unified Payments Interface
  • Umbrella Line of Credit: Rs. 1,250 crore in rupees for priority development projects

Healthcare Partnership

  • Janaushadhi Scheme: Export of affordable generic medicines and medical supplies
  • New Seychelles National Hospital: Framework MoU for state-of-the-art hospital development

Defence & Maritime Security

  • FPV LESPWAR: Handing over of 'Made in India' Fast Patrol Vessel to Seychelles Coast Guard (manufactured by Goa Shipyard Limited)
  • Maritime Mobility: Mutual recognition of seafarer training and certification
  • Extradition Treaty: Legal framework for extradition of fugitives and combating transnational crimes

Other Agreements

  • Space Cooperation: Satellite applications, remote sensing, and disaster management
  • Agricultural Research: ICAR-Seychelles Agriculture Department MoU (2026-2031)
  • Diplomatic Capacity Building: SSIFS-MoFAD institutional linkage
  • 'Guardian of the Blue Horizon' Award: Highest Presidential Distinction conferred on PM for climate action and Blue Economy promotion

Strategic Importance of Seychelles for India

Geographic Significance

  • Located along key Sea Lanes of Communication (SLOCs)
  • Near maritime chokepoints: Mozambique Channel, Bab-el-Mandeb, Cape of Good Hope
  • Controls 1.4 million sq km Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)

Geopolitical Considerations

  • Helps counter China's 'String of Pearls' strategy in Western Indian Ocean
  • Integrated into India's Coastal Surveillance Radar Network (CSRN)
  • Data linked to Information Fusion Centre–Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR)

Gateway to Africa

  • Member of African Union (AU) and Indian Ocean Commission (IOC)
  • Strategic bridge for India's engagement with East Africa

Vision MAHASAGAR

MAHASAGAR stands for Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions:

  • Promotes maritime security and sustainable development
  • Advances Blue Economy cooperation
  • Focuses on digital connectivity and capacity building
  • Positions India as a reliable, non-coercive development partner

India-Seychelles Bilateral Relations: At a Glance

| Aspect | Details | |--------|---------| | | Diplomatic Relations | Established 1976 (INS Nilgiri participated in Independence Day) | | Bilateral Trade | ~USD 73 million (2024-25), skewed in India's favour | | Defence Cooperation | 6 Coastal Surveillance Radar Systems; Joint exercise LAMITYE | | Human Capital | Over 1% Seychellois population are ITEC alumni | | Diaspora | ~5,000 PIOs + 7,000 NRIs (total population: 120,000) |

Challenges

  • Geopolitical Competition: Stalled Assumption Island project; China's growing presence
  • Maritime Security Constraints: Limited capacity to monitor vast EEZ
  • Limited Economic Engagement: Small market, poor connectivity
  • Institutional Capacity: Small workforce delays project implementation
  • Climate Vulnerabilities: Exposure as a Small Island Developing State (SIDS)

Measures for Deeper Partnership

Maritime Domain Awareness

  • Deepen intelligence sharing through IFC-IOR against IUU fishing, piracy, drug trafficking

Scientific Diplomacy

  • Link Deep Ocean Mission with Seychelles for sustainable bioprospecting
  • Joint marine genomics research compliant with Nagoya Protocol

Climate Finance Innovation

  • Develop Sovereign Blue Carbon Credits using Article 6 of Paris Agreement
  • Technical expertise for ecosystem auditing and securitization

Energy & Climate Mapping

  • ISRO telemetry for Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) potential
  • Real-time coral bleaching and marine heatwave mapping

Constitutional & Legal Frameworks

  • Extradition Treaty: Streamlines fugitive surrender between the two republics
  • International Conventions: Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing
  • Paris Agreement: Article 6 mechanisms for carbon markets
  • SAGAR/MAHASAGAR: India's maritime policy frameworks for Indian Ocean Region