India on Monday announced a $175 million special economic package for Seychelles, underlining a renewed push to deepen economic engagement, maritime security cooperation and sustainable development with the Indian Ocean nation.
The announcement followed bilateral talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Seychelles President Patrick Herminie in New Delhi, during which the two leaders agreed that their partnership was entering what Modi described as “a new phase”.
“India and Seychelles are connected not just by geography, but by history, trust and a shared vision for the future,” Modi said while addressing the media after the talks.
The package will fund specific projects identified by Seychelles in areas such as public housing, electric mobility, vocational training, healthcare, defence preparedness and maritime security.
Modi said, “All our efforts have been based on Seychelles’ priorities and needs. This package will support concrete projects that directly benefit the people of Seychelles.”
Maritime Security
Modi welcomed Seychelles as a full member of the Colombo Security Conclave, calling defence and maritime security “important pillars” of the bilateral relationship.
“As maritime neighbours, the blue economy is a natural area of cooperation for us,” Modi said, adding that India would share its expertise in marine research, capacity building and data exchange. “Together, we will shape not only bilateral cooperation but also a shared future for the Indian Ocean region.”
President Herminie echoed this sentiment: “As Indian Ocean states, maritime security and regional stability remain central to our relationship,” he said, while highlighting the importance of cooperation in surveillance, joint exercises and information sharing.
India also offered help to strengthen the Seychelles Defence Forces through customised training programmes and the provision of naval and air assets, alongside continued joint maritime surveillance and hydrographic cooperation.
MoUs Signed
Several MoUs were inked on digital transformation, pharmacopoeia cooperation, food procurement, cultural exchanges from 2026 to 2030, and large-scale sharing of digital solutions.
Another MoU will facilitate the training of Seychelles civil servants in India. Modi said such initiatives would help generate employment and skills, particularly for young people. “India’s capacity-building programmes have played a significant role in strengthening institutions in Seychelles,” he noted.
The two sides also agreed to explore cooperation in fintech, digital payments, and trade using local currencies, alongside enhanced collaboration in healthcare, medical tourism and the supply of affordable medicines.
Joint Vision
At the conclusion of the talks, both countries released the India–Seychelles Joint Vision for Sustainability, Economic Growth and Security through Enhanced Linkages, which will serve as a guiding framework for cooperation in the coming years.
The vision document places importance on renewable energy, climate adaptation and disaster preparedness. President Herminie acknowledged India’s role in supporting Seychelles’ clean energy goals, stating that solar projects implemented with Indian support had delivered “tangible, community-level benefits, particularly in agriculture and healthcare”.
Both leaders agreed to support the implementation of multi-hazard early warning systems in Seychelles and to work together on energy conservation, green mobility and climate-resilient infrastructure. India will also provide technical assistance for managing Seychelles’ power grid to support the transition to clean public transport.
The leaders recognised the financial challenges faced by small island developing states. Herminie expressed hope that Seychelles could continue to rely on India’s “strong and constructive voice” in advocating for vulnerability-based financing frameworks in international institutions.
Reaffirming their strategic alignment, the two leaders reiterated their commitment to a free, open and secure Indian Ocean Region. The joint vision underscores cooperation to address maritime threats such as piracy, narcotics trafficking, illegal fishing and other transnational crimes through enhanced maritime domain awareness and coordinated operational efforts.
President Herminie also expressed appreciation for India’s continued defence support, including assistance for maritime assets and logistical capabilities, while thanking India for its participation in Seychelles’ national celebrations.
“The relationship between India and Seychelles is not limited to diplomatic contacts alone,” Modi said, pointing to centuries-old people-to-people links across the Indian Ocean. “Our partnership is built on trust that has grown from generation to generation.”
With expanded financial assistance, a strengthened maritime partnership and a clearly articulated joint vision, India and Seychelles have set the stage for deeper strategic and developmental cooperation as they approach 50 years of diplomatic relations.
