India on Saturday handed over a patrol ship and utility vehicles to the Seychelles Defense Forces in a ceremony attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Seychelles President Patrick Herminie, with the equipment expected to contribute to efforts to enhance collective security in the Indian Ocean region.
Modi arrived in the Indian Ocean archipelago for a three-day visit, during which he will participate as guest of honor in the country’s golden jubilee celebrations of independence on June 28. He will also hold talks with Herminie to review bilateral relations and explore ways to enhance cooperation in a range of areas.
During a special ceremony at the Seychelles Coast Guard Base in the afternoon, Modi handed over the fast patrol vessel Lespoirs (which means “Hope” in Creole) to Herminie as a gift to the Seychelles government. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said ten utility vehicles, five laser beam boats and six ambulances were also handed over at the event to enhance Seychelles’ maritime security and defense capabilities.
The handover of the patrol vessel to the Seychelles Coast Guard marks “another important milestone in the growing partnership between India and Seychelles in the field of maritime defense and security,” Modi said on social media.
“It is also the latest in a series of capacity building initiatives that reflect India’s firm commitment to supporting Seychelles’ security priorities,” Modi said. He said India would stand “shoulder to shoulder with Seychelles as a trusted partner”, and work together to deepen friendship and “strengthen our collective maritime capabilities”.
Seychelles, an archipelago of 115 islands located along strategic sea lines of communication near the Mozambique Channel, has limited surveillance capabilities and relies on India as a partner to combat piracy, drug trafficking, illegal fishing, and other transnational threats in the western Indian Ocean. The two sides also signed a memorandum of understanding on defense cooperation.
Over the years, India has provided two patrol boats, a fast interception boat, a fast patrol vessel and two Dornier maritime surveillance aircraft to Seychelles. It also donated and installed six coastal surveillance radar systems in 2015 to enhance coastal security. The two sides also held 11 editions of the biennial joint military exercise Lametti, the last of which was in March this year.
Upon his arrival at Victoria Airport, Modi was received by Herminie. The two leaders later participated in a tree planting ceremony at the National Botanical Garden in Seychelles. They also observed the Aldabra giant tortoise, which is endemic to the Seychelles and is among the largest and longest-lived species of tortoise.
Modi said in a statement before his departure that his visit will deepen ties between the two countries, enhance maritime cooperation, and advance a shared vision of a safe, peaceful and prosperous Indian Ocean.
He described Seychelles as a valued maritime neighbor and a key partner in India’s Mahasagar vision and shared commitment to the Global South. He said his discussions with Herminie would depend on the President’s visit to India in February. “Together, we will advance the progress of our peoples and enhance security and prosperity in the Indian Ocean region,” he said.
Modi will also be the first Indian Prime Minister to address the National Assembly of Seychelles, and said he was looking forward to interacting with the Indian community, which has strengthened the special friendship between the two sides and served as a living bridge.
Meanwhile, Congress said it was hypocritical for the Prime Minister to visit the giant tortoise enclosure at the National Botanical Garden in Seychelles, as it accused him of destroying the habitats of many of the species through his government’s Grand Nicobar Island project.
