Vice President of India, C P Radhakrishnan, is set to embark on a two-day official visit to Seychelles starting October 26. The primary purpose of the visit is to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Patrick Herminie, the President-elect of Seychelles, representing the Government of India.
Invited by the Seychellois government, Vice President Radhakrishnan will extend India’s heartfelt congratulations to Herminie and reaffirm the enduring, close-knit relationship between the two nations. A statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) emphasized that Seychelles remains a key partner under India’s Vision MAHASAGAR initiative and in India’s broader commitment to the Global South. The visit reflects New Delhi’s intention to deepen and broaden its cooperation with the island nation.
India and Seychelles share a robust bilateral relationship, built on historical connections and sustained support, particularly in areas of maritime security. Over the years, the ties have flourished through mutual understanding, collaboration, and cultural exchange. Historical records indicate that in 1770, the first Indian settlers arrived in Seychelles as plantation workers, alongside African slaves and French colonists, laying the foundations for India’s early presence on the islands.
Over time, Indian traders established enduring commercial links, driven by economic opportunities after saturation in East Africa. Diplomatic relations between India and Seychelles formally began after Seychelles’ independence in 1976. India marked the occasion by sending a contingent from the Indian Naval Ship INS Nilgiri to participate in the country’s Independence Day celebrations. An Indian diplomatic mission was set up in Victoria in 1979, initially managed by the High Commissioner based in Dar-es-Salaam, with a resident High Commissioner appointed in 1987. Seychelles subsequently established its mission in New Delhi in 2008.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic visit to Seychelles in March 2015—the first by an Indian PM in 34 years—further strengthened bilateral cooperation. During the visit, several key agreements were signed, including the launch of the Coastal Surveillance Radar System (CRS) Project, the donation of a second Dornier aircraft to Seychelles, and a three-month free visa facility for Seychellois citizens traveling to India. These steps continue to reinforce India’s strategic, cultural, and economic engagement with the island nation.
