Distinguished members of the Indian Diaspora,
Friends of India,
Ladies and Gentlemen
Good afternoon! Namaste! Vanakkam! Kem Cho! Namaskaram!
It is a pleasure and an honour for me to be here in the beautiful Republic of Seychelles, on the special occasion of the swearing-in ceremony of His Excellency Dr. Patrick Herminie as the next President of Seychelles. I bring warm greetings from the people and the Government of India to each one of you.
I also take this opportunity to extend my greetings on the occasion of Diwali and the Gujarati New Year — Bestu Varsh, which we all celebrated last week. May the festival of lights bring joy, prosperity, and happiness to you and your families here in Seychelles.
Today, I am especially delighted to meet with you, the Indian diaspora, whose presence here is a living testament to the enduring friendship between our two countries. Your contributions have not only enriched the cultural and social life of Seychelles, but have also played a pivotal role in strengthening India–Seychelles partnership across trade, education, health, and technology.
I take this opportunity to congratulate Seychelles on the successful and peaceful completion of the electoral process. Today is also a celebration of democracy in Seychelles, and as the largest democracy in the world, and ‘ the mother of democracy’, India is proud to be a part of it.
The bonds between India and Seychelles are historic. Five Indians were among first settlers in Seychelles in 1770. Through the ebb and flow of the past 250 years, India and Seychelles have long stood as nations bound together not only by the shared waters of the Indian Ocean but also by our collective histories and shared experiences through the challenging chapters of colonialism.
Our cultural and historical ties are nourished by the presence of the Indian diaspora here and by our shared ethos of democracy and pluralism.
I must say that for a country of a population of more than 120,000 people, Seychelles is incredibly diverse. The Indian Diaspora here is drawn from different parts of India and has added the colours and flavors of India’s own diversity to the social fabric of Seychelles.
Some of you hail from Gujarat, some from Tamil Nadu, some from Punjab, others from Uttar Pradesh or Bihar, and yet others are Parsi, Malayali, or from other parts of India. This rich diversity is our strength and the bond that unites us as a single, vibrant, and thriving civilization. It forms the cornerstone of our cultural heritage and national identity.
Our bilateral relations are long-standing, time-tested, and multi-faceted. The waters of the Indian Ocean have historically brought prosperity to both our nations and peoples.
India, with its rich civilizational heritage, has long served as a central hub in the Indian Ocean. Its ports along the western and southern coasts played a pivotal role in the trade of silk, spices, and precious stones with Europe, West Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. For centuries, the monsoon winds of the Indian Ocean have carried not only goods but also the seeds of knowledge, science, and culture between distant empires.
In the Indian Ocean Region, PM Modi’s vision of Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth across Regions (MAHASAGAR) reflects our shared commitment to a free, open, and secure Indian Ocean. Seychelles is a vital partner in India’s Vision MAHASAGAR and in our commitment to advancing the priorities of the Global South.
Today, approximately 95% of India’s goods trade by volume and 80% of our oil trade pass through the Indian Ocean, making its sea lanes vital to the well-being and prosperity of our 1.4 billion citizens. For an island nation like Seychelles, spread across a significant expanse of this ocean, the importance of these waters to your security and economic vitality cannot be overstated.
At the same time, the Indian Ocean faces challenges from illicit activities such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, and piracy, which threaten the safety of our people and the progress of our nations. It is therefore both natural and imperative that India and Seychelles work together to ensure an open, stable, and secure Indian Ocean Region.
The direct flight connectivity between Mumbai and Seychelles brings our peoples closer and is poised to foster greater business and tourism engagement. In all these areas, there remains vast potential for our countries to collaborate further, strengthening and deepening our bilateral relations while promoting the security, well-being, and prosperity of our peoples.
India remains committed to supporting the developmental aspirations of Seychelles, in alignment with the priorities of the Government and people of Seychelles.
Today, under PM Modi’s vision and leadership, India is on a path to become ‘Viksit’, i.e., a developed country by 2047. In an uncertain global environment, we continue to grow fast and India has emerged as the 4th largest economy in the world, and on a trajectory to become the third-largest within the next few years.
India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) has changed the way the government interacts with its citizens and citizens and businesses transact with each other. 50% of the world’s digital financial transactions take place in India through UPI.
India’s mega-infrastructure push is hitting its stride with major road, rail, ports, airports and shipbuilding initiatives underway and a budget upwards USD 125 billion earmarked for this financial year alone. This year, the World Bank reported that India lifted 171 million people out of extreme poverty; which has now fallen to 2.3% of India’s population.
On the multilateral front, India’s Presidency of the G20 Summit in 2023 helped build consensus on key global priorities, including green development and digital governance, while placing special emphasis on the needs and aspirations of the Global South. India’s trade with Africa has surpassed USD 100 billion and is expected to grow further in the coming years.
India’s engagement with Small Island Developing States (SIDS) across the Caribbean, Pacific, and Indian Ocean regions has strengthened in recent years through initiatives in health, MSMEs, marine conservation, renewable energy, and capacity building, reflecting India’s commitment to sustainable development and inclusive partnerships.
In the past few years, Seychelles has made remarkable strides in its growth and development. You have the highest per capita GDP in Africa. You have revitalised your tourism and fisheries industries after the challenges of the pandemic. You have also managed to control your external debt admirably and stabilised economic growth. Your resilience and enterprise is seen and lauded by us in India as a strength and a key factor of stability in this region, at a time of significant global flux.
And, the Indian diaspora in Seychelles is one of the engines of that resilience and stability. Your drive, diligence, discipline and diversity make us all proud.
Your contribution to the nation-building of Seychelles is commendable. In doing so, I also note the silent but steady contribution of Indian labourers and professionals in the construction and service industries of Seychelles. It remains our duty in India to ensure their safety and well-being.
The cultural and business linkages maintained by the Indian diaspora not only enrich the India–Seychelles partnership but also contribute to the stability and prosperity of the wider region. We look forward to working with the diaspora as a bridge to further advance trade, business, and cultural ties.
In 1901, Mahatma Gandhi underlined the Indian diaspora’s hardworking spirit in the face of hardship, in ‘Sesel’. I’m told there are two Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awardees from Seychelles. I’m certain that there will be more in the future.
My presence here, representing India at this momentous occasion of the swearing-in of a new President and Government, underscores our steadfast support for the Government and people of Seychelles. It is a moment to celebrate and reaffirm our shared commitment to democracy and to reflect on the enduring partnership between our nations.
This is an opportunity to further deepen our bilateral ties across traditional areas of cooperation, including maritime security, health, renewable energy, education, trade, and culture.
Equally, it is a moment to explore new frontiers —such as Digital Public Infrastructure, artificial intelligence, fintech, climate change mitigation, disaster risk reduction, and the blue economy together —ensuring that our partnership remains dynamic, forward-looking, and responsive to the opportunities and challenges of our times.
Ten years ago, PM Modi began his landmark Indian Ocean visit here in Seychelles. It was the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to this close maritime neighbour and partner in 34 years.
In closing, I would like to recall his words – There is a great ocean that lies between us. However, that ocean does not separate us, it brings us closer together.
India join hands with Seychelles to write a new chapter in our partnership, I extend my best wishes to all of you and your families for good health, peace, and prosperity in the years ahead.
Long Live India-Seychelles Partnership!
Thank you!
