PM Modi launches India–Seychelles joint vision, strengthens maritime ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday welcomed Seychelles as a fulltime member of the Colombo Security Conclave describing defence and maritime cooperation as key pillars of the relationship between the two countries He also said India and Seychelles would expand cooperation in renewable energy climate resilience and climateadaptive solutionsPM Modi made these remarks during a joint press conference with Seychelles President Patrick Herminie in New Delhi Before the joint press meet the two leaders held a bilateral meetingPresident Herminie is on a sixday visit to India and has arrived in the national capital New Delhi after touring Chennai and Mumbai This is his first visit since assuming office in October 2025 and coincides with the celebration of 50 years of diplomatic relations between India and Seychelles During his visit President Herminie also paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat The Ministry of External Affairs said Mahatma Gandhirsquos enduring principles continue to guide and inspire the IndiandashSeychelles partnershipMaritime Defence and Climate CooperationCalling India and Seychelles maritime neighbours Prime Minister Modi said the blue economy is a natural area of cooperation between the two nationsldquoIn the areas of marine research capacity building and data sharing India will share its expertise with Seychelles Defence cooperation and maritime security are important pillars of our cooperationrdquo PM Modi said as per ANIHe underlined that defence cooperation and maritime security remain central to bilateral ties and welcomed Seychelles as a fulltime member of the Colombo Security Conclave He said this step would strengthen peace and stability in the Indian Ocean regionThe Prime Minister added ldquoWe will expand our cooperation in the areas of renewable energy resilience and climateadaptive solutionsrdquo stressing that these sectors are vital for building a sustainable future in the Indian Ocean regionAgreements Joint Vision and Development SupportPM Modi welcomed the signing of several Memorandums of Understanding and agreements aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation He announced that the IndiandashSeychelles Joint Vision would be launched serving as a roadmap for future engagementReferring to digital cooperation he said ldquoA digital transformation is taking place Under this we will share Indiarsquos successful experience with Seychellesrdquo He added that both countries would work together to ensure the supply of affordable and quality medicines promote medical tourism and strengthen health infrastructureEarlier PM Modi announced a special economic package worth 175 million dollar for Seychelles ldquoDevelopment partnership has been a strong foundation of IndiandashSeychelles relations All our efforts have been based on the priorities and needs of Seychellesrdquo he saidAnnouncing the package he added ldquoThis special economic package of 175 million dollars will support concrete projects in areas such as social housing emobility vocational training health defence and maritime securityrdquo as per ANIPeopletoPeople TiesPM Modi praised the Indian community in Seychelles for its contribution to the countryrsquos social and economic development saying it has strengthened ties between the two nations across generations ldquoThrough close cooperation in the field of technology we are giving our partnership a futuristic directionrdquo he addedIndia and Seychelles also exchanged several agreements covering pharmacopoeial cooperation cultural exchange programmes for 2026ndash2030 digital transformation solutions and a food procurement agreement between National Cooperative Exports Limited and the Seychelles Trading CorporationWith ANI Inputs