India, Seychelles Deepen Parliamentary Ties

GG News Bureau
New Delhi: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Wednesday held a bilateral parliamentary dialogue with Speaker of the National Assembly of Seychelles Azarel Yolanda Ernesta and a parliamentary delegation from Seychelles, highlighting the longstanding civilisational, democratic and people-to-people ties between the two countries.

Welcoming Ernesta at the Parliament House Complex, Birla recalled their earlier interaction during the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth held in New Delhi. He appreciated her interest in India’s spiritual traditions, particularly Yoga.

Birla said India and Seychelles share an enduring relationship rooted in centuries-old civilisational connections, a vibrant Indian diaspora and strong people-to-people ties. He also noted that shared democratic values and parliamentary traditions have strengthened the relationship.

Highlighting Seychelles’ interest in Yoga, Birla offered India’s support in further promoting the practice in the island nation through Indian instructors.

Modi’s Seychelles visit highlighted
Birla referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent State Visit to Seychelles and his relationship with Seychelles President Patrick Herminie. He noted that Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to address an Extraordinary Sitting of the National Assembly of Seychelles.

According to Birla, Modi’s address gave fresh momentum to bilateral relations and further highlighted the depth of the partnership between the two countries.

The Lok Sabha Speaker called for stronger cooperation between the two legislatures and greater parliamentary exchanges. He invited members of the National Assembly of Seychelles to visit the Parliament of India and experience its democratic institutions and parliamentary practices.

Birla also highlighted the role of the Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE) in parliamentary capacity building. He said customised training programmes covering legislative drafting, parliamentary procedures and legislative processes could be organised for Seychelles’ lawmakers and officials.

Technology and Global South cooperation
Birla highlighted India’s efforts towards a paperless Parliament and the use of Artificial Intelligence to facilitate translation of parliamentary proceedings into 22 Indian languages. He also referred to Digital Parliament and efforts to bring legislative bodies onto common digital platforms.

He said India and Seychelles could explore cooperation in health, digital transformation, infrastructure and renewable energy.

Birla also stressed the importance of strengthening people-to-people ties through culture, education and tourism. He called for greater cooperation in amplifying the voice and aspirations of the Global South.

Describing Seychelles as a trusted partner in the Indian Ocean region, Birla highlighted its significance under Vision MAHASAGAR and called for closer cooperation to promote regional peace, stability and prosperity through the United Nations and other multilateral platforms.

Seychelles Speaker praises India
Ernesta thanked Birla for the hospitality extended to her delegation and recalled her earlier visit to the Parliament of India during the CSPOC conference.

“India has my heart,” she said, describing India as the “mother of democracy”. She also noted that Indians were among the earliest settlers in Seychelles and that Indic culture remains deeply connected with the country’s social and cultural fabric.

Ernesta said India and Seychelles share not only an ocean but also a common history and enduring bonds. She also appreciated India’s progress in the digitalisation of Parliament and its use of technology in parliamentary functioning.

MPs D. Purandeswari, Aparajita Sarangi and Himadri Singh were also present during the meeting.