India, Seychelles seal 19 agreements to deepen defence, digital and development ties

India and Seychelles unveiled 19 agreements after talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Patrick Herminie, strengthening cooperation in defence, maritime security, digital payments, healthcare, space, education and development, while marking 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations

Victoria (Seychelles): India and Seychelles on Sunday unveiled 19 outcomes following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Patrick Herminie, expanding cooperation in areas ranging from defence and maritime security to digital payments, space, healthcare, agriculture and education.

The package of outcomes reflects the broadening of New Delhi’s engagement with the strategically located Indian Ocean archipelagic nation across security, connectivity, capacity building and development partnership.

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According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the outcomes included an extradition treaty, an agreement on cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space, an agreement to advance UPI-based digital payments in Seychelles, an umbrella line of credit agreement with the Export-Import Bank of India and an agreement for preliminary preparations for a new Seychelles National Hospital.

The two sides also announced the gifting of a fast patrol vessel to Seychelles, the handover of 10 utility vehicles and five Laser Radial class boats to the Seychelles Defence Force, the completion of the refit of PS Zoroaster for the Seychelles Coast Guard and the upgradation of a Dornier aircraft with a glass cockpit.

Other development initiatives included the handover of six ambulances, 500 metric tonnes of rice and 8,500 metric tonnes of cement, the launch of a commemorative logo marking 50 years of diplomatic relations and the virtual ground-breaking ceremony for a Professional and Technical Education Centre, the MEA said in a series of posts on X.

The two countries also signed an agreement between the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) International Payments Ltd. and the Central Bank of Seychelles to advance UPI-based digital payments in the archipelagic nation and deepen economic and technological cooperation.

An agreement between HLL Lifecare Ltd. and Seychelles’ health ministry under the Jan Aushadhi scheme aims to facilitate access to good quality and affordable Indian medicines, while another memorandum of understanding provides for preliminary preparations for the new Seychelles National Hospital, the MEA said.

The two sides also concluded agreements on diplomatic training between the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service and Seychelles’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora, agriculture research and education, recognition of training and certification of seafarers serving on Seychelles-flagged vessels, and cooperation in the exploration and peaceful uses of outer space, the MEA added.

The outcomes were announced after delegation-level talks between Modi and Herminie during the prime minister’s three-day state visit to Seychelles, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The prime minister, who is undertaking the state visit at the invitation of President Herminie, will participate in the National Day celebrations of Seychelles as the Guest of Honour.