India, Seychelles Sign 9 Pacts, Major Development Initiatives
State visit of PM Modi strengthens defence, healthcare, digital payments and infrastructure cooperation
- India and Seychelles signed nine agreements across key sectors.
- India announced development assistance, including patrol vessel, ambulances, rice and cement.
- UPI, space cooperation, extradition and healthcare agreements signed.
- Seychelles joined the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).
GG News Bureau
Victoria (Seychelles),29th June: India and Seychelles on Sunday elevated their strategic partnership by signing nine agreements and announcing a series of development initiatives during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s State Visit, aimed at expanding cooperation in defence, healthcare, digital payments, agriculture, maritime affairs, space and infrastructure.
As part of India’s development assistance, New Delhi handed over a Fast Patrol Vessel, 10 utility vehicles, five Laser Radial class boats to the Seychelles Defence Force, six ambulances, 500 metric tonnes of rice and 8,500 metric tonnes of cement to support the island nation’s development priorities.
The two countries also unveiled a commemorative logo marking 50 years of diplomatic relations, virtually launched the Professional and Technical Education Centre, announced the completion of the refit of Coast Guard vessel PS Zoroaster, upgraded a Dornier aircraft with a glass cockpit and welcomed Seychelles into the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).
Among the key agreements signed were an MoU for the rollout of Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in Seychelles, a Jan Aushadhi agreement for the supply of affordable medicines, cooperation in agricultural research, an extradition treaty, recognition of Indian seafarers’ training and certification, an umbrella Line of Credit agreement for infrastructure projects, collaboration in peaceful uses of outer space and support for the development of a new Seychelles National Hospital.
The two sides also signed an agreement between the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service and Seychelles’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs to strengthen diplomatic training and capacity building.
The outcomes of the visit underscore India’s commitment to deepening its partnership with Seychelles through enhanced connectivity, capacity building, sustainable development and regional cooperation across the Indian Ocean.
