India has announced plans to operationalize the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in Seychelles by the end of the year, marking a significant step in enhancing financial connectivity between the two nations. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed this during a special briefing on the state visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Seychelles. While emphasizing that the relationship between India and Seychelles is not yet a comprehensive economic partnership, Misri described it as a substantial one, grounded in mutual cooperation across several domains.
During the briefing, Misri elaborated on the usage of the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme (ITEC) by Seychelles. He mentioned that Seychelles utilizes around 90 ITEC slots annually for training in diverse fields. Regarding the timeline for UPI’s implementation, he affirmed that the goal is to have it up and running by December. Although discussions about a comprehensive economic partnership are underway, Misri acknowledged that current bilateral trade volumes are modest, suggesting that exploring deeper economic ties makes sense given the importance of certain economic activities to Seychelles' economy.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Seychelles President Patrick Herminie engaged in extensive talks covering a wide range of bilateral relations. Their discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in critical areas such as health, education, capacity building, digital transformation, sustainable development, social infrastructure, renewable energy, maritime security, and defense. Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the progress made in implementing projects under the Special Economic Package announced by India, reaffirming India's commitment to supporting Seychelles' development priorities and deepening their close and enduring partnership.
The leaders also exchanged views on regional and global developments, particularly focusing on challenges in the Indian Ocean region, including illegal fishing, drug trafficking, and piracy. These discussions highlight the shared concerns and collaborative efforts aimed at ensuring regional stability and security.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi met with Bernard Georges, the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly of Seychelles. During their conversation, Modi appreciated Georges' comments following his budget address and acknowledged the strong foundation of the Seychelles-EU relationship across various sectors of society in Seychelles.
In a historic moment, Prime Minister Modi addressed the 8th National Assembly of Seychelles, becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to speak before the Seychelles parliament. His address emphasized the importance of regional stability and security, underscoring how the Indian Ocean serves as a bridge connecting India and Seychelles. Modi highlighted the indivisibility of regional security, stating that the security of one nation enhances the security of another, and that the prosperity of one contributes to the prosperity of the other.
He drew a powerful historical parallel, recalling the presence of the Indian Naval Ship INS Nilgiri in Port Victoria at the time of Seychelles' independence fifty years ago. Today, the ships INS Ikshak and INS Tarkash are docked at Port Victoria, symbolizing India's unwavering commitment to Seychelles. Modi also reflected on his previous visit to Seychelles in 2015, expressing his belief in the country's special role in India's vision for the Indian Ocean region.
Modi praised the unique identity of Seychelles and the cultural overlaps with India, emphasizing the strength of its people and their ability to create a shared identity rooted in diversity. He highlighted the cultural connections between the two nations, evident in everyday life through food, festivals, and dances. The Prime Minister also commended the Seychelles Defence Forces and Coast Guard for their professionalism in safeguarding the maritime domain and the broader Indian Ocean region.
His address reinforced the notion that while maps might depict Seychelles as a cluster of islands, the true value lies in the deep-rooted relationships and shared commitments that bind India and Seychelles. The discussions and announcements during Modi's state visit underscore the growing strategic importance of Seychelles for India, reflecting a partnership that continues to evolve and strengthen over time.
4 reports
Hindustan TimesIndependentCenteryesterdayThe Seychelles government has stated that it is investigating how a 'pre-final working layout' of a presidential citation awarded to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi became publicly available. The citation, meant to be the highest honor bestowed by Seychelles, was presented during Modi's visit to commemorate the nation's golden jubilee. However, the leaked version contained typographical and spelling errors, including incorrect spellings of 'Republic' and 'Seychelles' on the seal. The document also included a placeholder instead of President Patrick Herminie's actual signature. While the Seychelles government confirmed the award itself is legitimate, they emphasized that the leaked version was not the official one and regretted its circulation.
Bias read (Center): The article presents the situation objectively, focusing on the acknowledgment of the error and the clarification provided by the Seychelles government. There is no evident bias toward either side, and the framing remains neutral, emphasizing the factual aspects of the incident without taking a立场.
The WireIndependentCenter4 days agoThe article discusses Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Seychelles, highlighting two main points. First, there were typos discovered in the newly created presidential honor bestowed during his visit. Second, India has maintained an open stance regarding potential projects on the island nation, suggesting continued diplomatic and economic engagement.
Bias read (Center): The article appears to present factual information without overtly favoring any particular political perspective. It mentions the typos in the honor and India's openness to projects without using biased language or selectively omitting context.
Hindustan TimesIndependentCenter5 days ago From Garba to Moutya, Samosas to Chutney: PM Modi celebrates 'Creole Spirit' in historic seychelles addressPrime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 8th National Assembly of Seychelles during a state visit, becoming the first Indian prime minister to do so. He emphasized regional security and cooperation between India and Seychelles, noting their shared interests in the Indian Ocean. Modi highlighted historical ties, referencing India's naval presence in Seychelles both in 1976 during the country's independence and today. He praised Seychelles' cultural diversity and unity, mentioning elements like Creole music and the Moutya dance. Modi also expressed India's continued support for Seychelles' sovereignty and development.
Bias read (Center): The article presents Modi's diplomatic engagement with Seychelles, focusing on mutual security interests and historical ties. It includes direct quotes from Modi and contextual information about Seychelles' history and culture. There is no overtly biased language or selective sourcing; the tone is正式
FirstpostParty-alignedCenter6 days agoThe article discusses Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Seychelles, highlighting why this small African nation holds significant strategic importance for India. It explores the geographical location of Seychelles, its role as a maritime hub, and its potential for enhancing India's influence in the Indian Ocean region. The piece likely examines diplomatic, economic, and security dimensions of India-Seychelles relations, emphasizing how such partnerships contribute to India's broader geopolitical strategy. It may also touch upon historical ties, trade agreements, and regional cooperation frameworks.
Bias read (Center): The article appears to provide a balanced overview of the strategic significance of Seychelles for India without overtly favoring any particular perspective. It focuses on geography, diplomacy, and economics, which are standard analytical angles for such topics.
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