India Seychelles Bilateral Relations: SESEL Vision, MAHASAGAR and Maritime Partnership

The Prime Minister of India and the President Patrick Herminie held bilateral talks in New Delhi, coinciding with 50 years of diplomatic relations, and 50th anniversary of Seychelles’ independence.

• Both sides adopted a Joint Vision for Sustainability, Economic Growth and Security through Enhanced Linkages (SESEL) and signed multiple sectoral agreements.
• The SESEL framework expands cooperation beyond security into sustainable development and institutional capacity-building.

Key Highlights of the Visit

• Political and Strategic Partnership:
  • Maritime Neighbourhood: Both leaders reaffirmed that India and Seychelles, as close maritime neighbours, share a special partnership reinforcing security in the Western Indian Ocean Region.
  • Vision MAHASAGAR Linkage: Seychelles was reaffirmed as an important pillar in India’s Vision MAHASAGAR for regional security and growth.
• Development Partnership and Economic Cooperation:
  • India’s Support Recognised: Seychelles acknowledged India’s assistance through Lines of Credit, grants, capacity building and High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDP).
  • Special Economic Package: India announced a USD 175 million package, which includes USD 125 million Line of Credit and USD 50 million grant assistance.
  • Focus Areas: Sustainability, maritime security, defence cooperation, resilience, inclusive growth and capacity building
• Health, Capacity Building and Social Cooperation:
  • Health Infrastructure Support: India donated 10 advanced ambulances and agreed to support hospital construction and public health cooperation.
  • Affordable Medicines: Recognition of Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) by Seychelles to streamline procurement of quality medicines and collaboration under Jan Aushadhi.
  • Human Resource Development: Training programmes under Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) and institutional linkages in governance, cybersecurity, policing, and climate sectors were expanded.
  • Food and Essential Supplies: Donation of 1000 metric tonnes of grains by India and agreement to institutionalise procurement of cost-effective food and essential commodities from India.
• Climate, Maritime Security and Regional Cooperation:
  • Renewable Energy & Climate Action: Cooperation will expand in solar energy (under the International Solar Alliance), grid management, green mobility, and Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems.
  • Blue Economy & Hydrography: Joint hydrographic surveys will be strengthened, including establishment of a Seychelles Hydrographic Unit with Indian assistance.
  • Defence & Maritime Security: Both sides reaffirmed cooperation in surveillance, joint exercises, anti-piracy operations, and maritime domain awareness.
  • Multilateral Cooperation: Seychelles will join the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and supported India’s UNSC permanent membership bid.
• Regional and Multilateral Cooperation:
  • Regional Mechanisms: Seychelles’ decision to become a full member of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) is welcomed.
  • Multilateral Support: Seychelles reaffirmed support for India’s permanent membership of the UN Security Council.

India Seychelles Bilateral Relations

• Historical Background:
  • Early Contacts: The first recorded Indian presence in Seychelles dates back to 1770, when five Indians arrived as plantation workers along with African slaves and French settlers.
• Colonial-Era Linkages:
  • During the British colonial period, Seychelles was administered for some time from the Bombay Presidency.
  • Regular shipping routes enabled the flow of goods, essential commodities, and migrants from India
• Diplomatic Relations
  • Seychelles attained independence on 29 June 1976.
  • Diplomatic relations were formally established in 1976, with India opening its Mission in Victoria in 1979.
  • Early Agreements include Air Services Agreement (1981), Tourism Cooperation Agreement (1996), Trade Agreement and Joint Business Council (2000) while Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (BIPPA) in 2010 strengthened bilateral relations.
• Trade and Investment
  • Bilateral trade remains modest due to the absence of direct shipping connectivity.
  • India’s Key Exports: rice, food products, cement, textiles, vehicles, medicines, medical instruments
  • Trade trends(2022–23)
    • Indian exports: US$ 64.88 million
    • Indian imports: US$ 8.96 million
• Defence and Security Cooperation
  • Cooperation has expanded due to piracy and maritime security challenges in the Indian Ocean.
  • India Gifted various patrol vessels including PS Topaz (2005), PS Constant (2014) and also Dornier maritime surveillance aircraft in 2018.
  • Both countries participates in various military exercises such as LAMITYE, MILAN 2024, IMEX-23, and Cutlass Express.
• Cooperation in Energy & Environment
  • Blue Economy Protocol signed in 2015, reflecting shared maritime and sustainability priorities.
  • Seychelles supports India on climate change issues in international forums.
  • Seychelles is a Founding Member of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) (ratified in 2017).
• Cultural Relations & Indian Community
  • Diaspora: Indian migration intensified in the 20th century, mainly from Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Gujarat.
  • Cultural Engagement: Cultural exchanges are largely community-driven with government support.

Strategic Significance of Seychelles

• Geostrategic Location: Seychelles is strategically located in the Western Indian Ocean near major Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs) that connect Asia, Africa, and Europe, making it vital for global trade and maritime security.
• Maritime Domain Awareness: Coastal radar systems and surveillance cooperation with Seychelles enhance India’s Maritime Domain Awareness across a wider oceanic expanse.
• Anti-Piracy Operations: Seychelles serves as an operational hub for India’s anti-piracy missions, especially in response to threats emerging from the Somali coast.
• Countering China’s Footprint: Strategic engagement with Seychelles helps India balance the expanding influence of China in the Indian Ocean Region.
• Assumption Island Project: India’s development of infrastructure on Assumption Island enhances its logistical reach, surveillance capacity, and operational sustainability in the region.
• Multilateral Coordination: Both countries collaborate in regional forums like the Indian Ocean Rim Association to shape maritime governance norms.
• Logistics Node: Access arrangements enable refuelling, replenishment, and forward deployment of Indian naval assets.
• SAGAR Doctrine: Partnership with Seychelles advances India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision by promoting cooperative maritime security.

Check Out UPSC CSE Books

Visit PW Store