External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a high-level meeting with Seychelles President Dr. Patrick Herminie on Monday, as the island nation’s leader continues his inaugural state visit to India. The visit aims to strengthen bilateral relations and promote collaboration across critical sectors such as maritime security and economic development. Highlighting the strategic significance of the meeting on X, EAM Jaishankar noted that as maritime neighbors, India values Seychelles’ support in advancing the #VisionMAHASAGAR initiative, which focuses on regional prosperity and security. He expressed confidence that President Herminie’s scheduled engagements with Prime Minister Narendra Modi would pave the way for enhanced cooperation between the two nations.
President Herminie arrived in India on Thursday at the invitation of PM Modi, marking his first visit since taking office in October 2025. His visit coincides with the celebration of 50 years of diplomatic relations between India and Seychelles, underscoring a long-standing partnership built on trust and mutual interests. During his stay, the President is scheduled to meet President Droupadi Murmu and hold discussions with Prime Minister Modi on a wide range of bilateral, regional, and global issues, including economic collaboration and maritime security in the Indian Ocean.
Beyond Delhi, President Herminie will travel to other Indian cities to participate in business forums and initiatives aimed at boosting economic engagement and trade opportunities between the two countries. The Ministry of External Affairs extended a warm welcome to the President on X, acknowledging the historic ties shared between India and Seychelles and emphasizing the visit’s significance in reinforcing multifaceted bilateral cooperation.
President Herminie, sworn in as the sixth President of Seychelles in October 2025 at Unity Stadium in Victoria, received greetings from India’s Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan during his inauguration. This state visit is expected to strengthen India-Seychelles relations further, opening new avenues for collaboration in trade, regional security, and sustainable development. Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to maritime cooperation under the #VisionMAHASAGAR framework, reflecting a shared vision for a secure and prosperous Indian Ocean region.
