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NEW DELHI: India and Seychelles signed nine agreements, including an extradition treaty to combat transnational crime, as PM Modi held bilateral talks with President Patrick Herminie, saying India’s vision is to turn Indian Ocean into an ocean of opportunity and that both countries stood for more inclusive development. At Seychelles’ National Assembly, Modi underscored the “shared values of democracy, rule of law and people-centric governance that guide the two countries”. Modi sought fair, responsible and equitable climate action as he stressed that the Global South, especially island nations, was bearing the brunt of climate change. Maritime security, development cooperation, clean energy, health, crime prevention and people-to-people ties dominated the agenda with the President appreciating India’s special economic package of $175 million, comprising $125 million in a rupee-denominated line of credit and $50 million in grant aid, to support priority projects.India and Seychelles signed an MoU for an umbrella line of credit for Rs 1,250 crore. “India envisions an Indian Ocean where maritime security is accompanied by increased economic prosperity, where our partnerships are based on mutual respect and trust, not size, and where we move together, not side-by-side, with every country,” Prime Minister Modi said. noted that mutual trust and close cooperation have shaped a robust partnership spanning development cooperation, maritime security, technology, innovation, health and capacity building. He reaffirmed India’s commitment to deepening the relationship, proposing direct shipping links, increased trade in local currencies and greater connectivity to promote trade and tourism. India and Seychelles also discussed a comprehensive economic partnership agreement. In his National Assembly address, Modi said the Global South is most impacted by climate change. “Its effects are already visible on our coastlines, in the marine ecosystem, in weather patterns, and in our communities,” he said. PM Modi reiterated that countries which had contributed the least to climate change should not bear the greatest burden of its consequences, and stressed that climate action must be guided by “fairness, responsibility and equity”. “This is the essence of climate justice,” he said, adding India would continue working with Seychelles to ensure that the concerns of Small Island Developing States received the attention they deserved. PM said India and Seychelles shared the vision of a more inclusive world and international institutions that reflected contemporary realities. He reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the interests of the Global South. Modi’s visit coincided with both the 50th anniversary of India-Seychelles diplomatic relations and Seychelles’ Golden Jubilee, with the PM participating in the National Day Parade on June 28 2026. Modi said the Indian Ocean connected, rather than separated, India and Seychelles, and that New Delhi viewed the island nation as much more than a group of islands.
