India, Seychelles unveil 19 outcomes spanning defence, digital payments, space, health

India and Seychelles on Sunday (June 28) unveiled 19 outcomes following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi

and President Patrick Herminie, expanding cooperation in areas ranging from defence and maritime security to digital payments, space, healthcare, agriculture and education.

The package of outcomes reflects the broadening of New Delhi's engagement with the strategically located Indian Ocean archipelagic nation across security, connectivity, capacity building and development partnership.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the outcomes included an extradition treaty, an agreement on cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space, an agreement to advance UPI-based digital payments in Seychelles, an umbrella line of credit agreement with the Export-Import Bank of India and an agreement for preliminary preparations for a new Seychelles National Hospital.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri later said in a press conference here that the ₹1,250-crore umbrella line of credit, which will be extended in Indian rupees, would support priority development projects in Seychelles.

The two sides also announced the gifting of a fast patrol vessel to Seychelles, the handover of 10 utility vehicles and five Laser Radial class boats to the Seychelles Defence Force, the completion of the refit of PS Zoroaster for the Seychelles Coast Guard and the upgradation of a Dornier aircraft with a glass cockpit, the MEA said.

Other development initiatives included the handover of six ambulances, 500 metric tonne of rice and 8,500 metric tonne of cement, the launch of a commemorative logo marking 50 years of diplomatic relations and the virtual ground-breaking ceremony for a Professional and Technical Education Centre, the MEA said in a series of posts on X.

Misri said Indian paramedics had also arrived in Seychelles to train local technicians and help integrate the ambulances into the country's healthcare system.

The two countries also signed an agreement between the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), International Payments Ltd., and the Central Bank of Seychelles to advance UPI-based digital payments in the archipelagic nation and deepen economic and technological cooperation.

An agreement between HLL Lifecare Ltd. and Seychelles' health ministry under the Jan Aushadhi scheme aims to facilitate access to good quality and affordable Indian medicines, while another memorandum of understanding provides for preliminary preparations for the new Seychelles National Hospital, the MEA said.

The two sides also concluded agreements on diplomatic training between the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service and Seychelles' Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora, agriculture research and education, recognition of training and certification of seafarers serving on Seychelles-flagged vessels, and cooperation in the exploration and peaceful uses of outer space, the MEA added.

Separately, Misri said President Herminie had made a proposal requesting Indian assistance in the provision of an Advanced Light Helicopter and in setting up centres devoted to cybersecurity and artificial intelligence in Seychelles.

He said Prime Minister Modi welcomed the proposals and indicated that India would examine them with a very positive frame of mind, adding that the two sides would hold further discussions.

The outcomes were announced after delegation-level talks between Modi and Herminie during the prime minister's three-day state visit to Seychelles, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.