Jaishankar Meets Seychelles President Patrick Herminie as State Visit Aims to Deepen Bilateral Ties
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Monday met Seychelles President Patrick Herminie, who is on a state visit to India focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation, particularly in maritime security and economic development.
Following the meeting in New Delhi, Jaishankar highlighted the importance of India-Seychelles relations, describing the two nations as maritime neighbours with shared regional interests. In a post on X, he said the visit would help advance India’s Vision MAHASAGAR, aimed at promoting economic prosperity and security in the Indian Ocean region.
President Herminie arrived in India last Thursday at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This marks his first official visit to India since assuming office in October 2025 and coincides with the completion of 50 years of diplomatic relations between India and Seychelles.
During his stay, the Seychelles President is scheduled to meet Droupadi Murmu and hold detailed discussions with Prime Minister Modi on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest. Maritime cooperation, regional security, development partnerships and economic engagement are expected to feature prominently in the talks.
Beyond New Delhi, President Herminie will also visit other Indian cities, where he is set to participate in business-focused engagements aimed at expanding trade and investment links between the two countries. These interactions are expected to support cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, tourism, and sustainable development.
Welcoming the visiting leader, the Ministry of External Affairs noted that the visit reflects the “longstanding and multifaceted” nature of India-Seychelles ties. The MEA also highlighted the strategic importance of Seychelles in India’s broader Indian Ocean outreach.
President Herminie was sworn in as Seychelles’ sixth President in October 2025 at Unity Stadium in Victoria. India was represented at the ceremony by Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan, who later conveyed India’s greetings to the new leadership.
The ongoing state visit is expected to reinforce India-Seychelles cooperation across security, trade and regional development, underlining their shared commitment to stability and growth in the Indian Ocean region.