In an evening marked by camaraderie, cultural warmth, and celebration, H.E. Ms. Lalatiana Accouche, High Commissioner of Seychelles in India, hosted a reception on 30 June 2025 at ITC Maurya, New Delhi, to mark the 49th National Day of the Republic of Seychelles. The event was graced by Shri Periasamy Kumaran, Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, as the Chief Guest.
In his address, Shri Kumaran opened with heartfelt congratulations to the people of Seychelles and thanked the government for its solidarity following recent tragedies in India. “These gestures speak to the strength and sincerity of our friendship,” he noted.
India and Seychelles share a civilisational connection that dates back to the 18th century. “Five Indians were among the very first settlers in Seychelles as early as 1770,” Shri Kumaran remarked, highlighting the deep historical ties that bind the two nations.
He praised the progress made under India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision, which has guided maritime cooperation with Seychelles over the past decade. Looking ahead, he expressed confidence in expanding this framework through the upgraded MAHASAGAR vision—Mutual and Holistic Advancement of Security and Growth Across Regions, especially in the context of the Global South.
He also underscored the thriving political engagement between the two countries. Referring to high-level visits and meetings, he recalled that “Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and President Wavel Ramkalawan virtually inaugurated several development projects in 2021,” and that “Vice President of Seychelles, Ahmed Afif, attended the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Modi in June 2024.”
Development cooperation has been a cornerstone of bilateral ties. India was the first country to provide COVID-19 vaccines to Seychelles, donating 50,000 doses of Covishield during the pandemic. “Such assistance has been complemented with training and capacity building,” he said, adding that 1% of Seychelles’ population has received training in India through the ITEC programme. In the past year alone, 56 Seychellois from both civilian and defence sectors were trained under this initiative.
Recognising shared maritime challenges—piracy, illegal fishing, and climate-induced threats—Shri Kumaran described Seychelles as a natural partner in maritime defence and security. “India has provided Seychelles with air and naval assets to strengthen its surveillance and response capabilities,” he said.
He lauded Seychelles’ active participation in regional maritime frameworks such as IORA, IONS, and the Colombo Security Conclave, and emphasised that institutions like RCOC in Victoria and IFC–IOR in Gurugram have institutionalised cooperation in maritime domain awareness.
On climate action, he referenced the inauguration of a solar cold storage facility in Praslin Island, funded by the International Solar Alliance (ISA). “Projects under the Quad–ISA Climate Initiative are also under consideration,” he added.
The Indian diaspora in Seychelles—comprising about 10% of the population—was recognised for its rich contributions. “Their role in strengthening the social fabric and fostering mutual understanding is both invaluable and inspiring,” he said. The popularity of cultural celebrations like International Yoga Day in Seychelles further reflects these deep bonds.
Improved air connectivity has brought the two countries closer. “The recent launch of four weekly direct flights between Mumbai and Mahé by IndiGo Airlines is yet another step in deepening our economic, cultural, and tourist connections,” he stated.
Looking forward, Shri Kumaran reiterated India’s commitment to supporting Seychelles in areas such as fintech, digital public infrastructure, disaster management, and renewable energy. He closed with warm wishes: “India stands ready as a steadfast development partner of Seychelles. May the bonds between India and Seychelles continue to grow from strength to strength.”
Leave a Reply