SYLLABUS
GS-2: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
Context: Recently,Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a three-day State Visit to Seychelles, marking 50 years of India–Seychelles diplomatic relations and reaffirming the two countries’ Special Strategic Partnership.
More on the News
- India and Seychelles unveiled 19 key outcomes, including development assistance, new agreements and strategic announcements, while Seychelles also joined the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).
- Prime Minister Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to address the National Assembly of Seychellesand attended the country’s National Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour.
Key Outcomes of the Visit
- Defence & Maritime Security: India gifted one Fast Patrol Vessel to Seychelles.
- Handed over 10 utility vehicles and 5 Laser Radial class boats to the Seychelles Defence Force.
- Completed the refit of PS Zoroaster for the Seychelles Coast Guard.
- Announced the upgradation of a Dornier aircraft with a glass cockpit.
- Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in maritime security and address challenges such as illegal fishing, piracy and drug trafficking.
- Development Assistance: India extended an Umbrella Line of Credit (LoC) worth ₹1,250 crore through EXIM Bank to support projects under the Special Economic Package (SEP) announced in February 2026.
- Key Agreements (9 MoUs/Treaties)
- Capacity Building: MoU between SSIFS and Seychelles’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs for diplomatic training.
- Digital Payments: MoU between NPCI International Payments Ltd. and the Central Bank of Seychelles for deployment of UPI.
- Health: Agreement under the Jan Aushadhi Scheme for the supply of affordable Indian generic medicines.
- Agriculture: MoU between ICAR and Seychelles for agricultural research, education and a 2026–2031 Work Plan.
- Extradition Treaty to strengthen cooperation against transnational crime.
- Shipping: Recognition of Indian seafarers’ training and certification on Seychelles-flagged vessels.
- Space: MoU on cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space.
- Infrastructure: MoU for preliminary preparations of the New Seychelles National Hospital.
- Education, Health & Capacity Building: Virtual ground-breaking ceremony for the Professional and Technical Education Centre.
- Commemorative & Strategic Announcements: Joint launch of a commemorative logo celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations.
- Seychelles joined the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).
- Both leaders reaffirmed commitment to a stronger partnership based on democracy, rule of law and people-centric governance.
- Prime Minister Modi called for enhanced parliamentary exchanges between the two democracies.
