Seychelles’ Global Network: Honorary Consuls as Pillars of Diplomatic Outreach

Honorary Consuls indeed play an essential role in extending diplomatic outreach for Small Island States like Seychelles, particularly given the limited resources and the geographically dispersed nature of these nations’ populations.

With only ten Diplomatic Missions placed strategically across key regions, Seychelles relies on a global network of 92 Honorary Consuls who represent its interests in over 100 countries including where three are located.  Falling under the Seychelles Diplomatic Mission in their respective regions, the Honorary Consuls closely work with the respective Heads of Mission to coordinate the diplomatic activities, ensuring consistency in Seychelles’ foreign policy and promoting its interests. The Honorary Consuls in India fall under Delhi’s jurisdiction.

In India, the Honorary Consuls and the High Commission in Delhi enjoy a close relationship which is strengthened by regular meetings, both virtual and in-person, to discuss accomplishments, address challenges, and map out strategic directions.  This approach also helps to optimize the Honorary Consuls’ contributions toward fostering the Seychelles-India relationship, a partnership rooted in longstanding cultural and historical connections.

Every two years, Seychelles hosts a Conference that serves as a vital platform for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and project development among Seychelles’ Honorary Consuls worldwide. The most recent conference held last October, under the theme “The Honorary Consuls: Our Partners in Advancing the Sustainable Development Agenda of Seychelles“ saw the active participation of the three Honorary Consuls in India. The gathering not only highlighted the important role of Honorary Consuls in Seychelles’ diplomatic and developmental efforts but also fostered greater alignment with the country’s sustainable development goals.

One of the significant aspects of the 2024 conference was the “Adopt a District“ program, which was introduced two years ago to enable Honorary Consuls to engage closely with local communities and gain a firsthand understanding of the realities on the ground. By visiting their assigned districts, the Honorary Consuls connect directly with residents, strengthening the bond between Seychelles and its international representatives while gaining invaluable insights that inform their work abroad.