Seychelles President Patrick Herminie arrived in New Delhi on Thursday to begin a five-day State Visit to India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) welcomed the President, highlighting the 50 years of longstanding, multi-faceted diplomatic relations between the two countries.
This marks President Herminie’s first visit to India since assuming office in October 2025. During his stay, he will meet President Droupadi Murmu and hold discussions with PM Modi on bilateral, regional, and global issues of mutual interest. His itinerary includes visits to Chennai and Mumbai, where he is scheduled to attend key business events, further promoting economic and strategic engagement.
The MEA emphasized that Seychelles is a vital maritime partner for India in the Indian Ocean, playing a key role in India’s Vision MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) and supporting India’s engagement with the Global South. The visit follows the Vice President of India’s trip to Seychelles in October 2025, reinforcing people-to-people ties and enhancing cooperation across various sectors.
President Herminie, who was sworn in as the sixth President of Seychelles in October 2025 at Unity Stadium, received warm congratulations from India. Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan attended the swearing-in as India’s representative and later engaged with Herminie at the State House in Victoria to discuss strengthening bilateral collaboration. Radhakrishnan also met Seychelles Vice President Sebastien Pillay, focusing on advancing multi-sectoral cooperation between the two nations.
Diplomatic relations between India and Seychelles were formally established following Seychelles’ independence in 1976. India’s commitment to the island nation was evident when the Indian Naval Ship INS Nilgiri participated in Seychelles’ Independence Day celebrations. The Indian Mission in Victoria was set up in 1979, with a resident High Commissioner appointed in 1987, while Seychelles opened its mission in New Delhi in 2008.
President Herminie’s visit is expected to further deepen India-Seychelles ties, strengthen maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean, and support shared initiatives for peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and the broader Global South.
