Relations between India and Seychelles are rooted in historical, cultural, and maritime ties
DR LOKESH KUMAR
In the 21st century, the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) has emerged as a key hub for global politics, industry, and security. Approximately 80 per cent of the world’s maritime oil trade and one-third of global maritime trade pass through the Indian Ocean. Consequently, the strategic importance of the small island nations located in this region is steadily increasing.
Although Seychelles—an archipelago of 115 islands—is geographically small, it possesses an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of nearly 1.3 million square kilometres. It is situated at the crossroads connecting Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, making it a significant centre of global power competition.
Relations between India and Seychelles are rooted in historical, cultural, and maritime ties. Since Seychelles gained independence, India has consistently assisted in areas such as development, education, health, defence, and capacity building. Over the past decade, this cooperation has increasingly focused on strategic and maritime security support.
Seychelles has emerged as a key partner in India’s maritime initiatives, such as SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region), ‘Neighbourhood First,’ the ‘Global South’ agenda, and the recently introduced ‘MAHASAGAR’ (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth in the Region). Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Seychelles in June 2016 gave a new direction to this partnership.
The Historical Foundation of India-Seychelles Relations
The bond between India and Seychelles is built upon historical maritime trade, the Indian diaspora, and cultural connections. Following Seychelles’ independence in 1976, India supported the nation as a reliable development partner.
India has made significant contributions to Seychelles’ development through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program, scholarships, healthcare services, telemedicine, information technology, and industrial training. Indian banks, particularly public sector ones, along with the public transport and information technology sectors, have played a notable role in the economic development of Seychelles. These efforts laid a strong foundation of trust, mutual respect, and cooperation between the two nations.
Technical and Maritime Security Assistance
Maritime security is a crucial aspect of the India-Seychelles relationship. Challenges such as piracy, arms trafficking, and illegal fishing in the Indian Ocean are shared concerns for both countries. To address these, India has provided Seychelles with patrol vessels, Dornier maritime surveillance aircraft, coastal surveillance radar systems, and other defence equipment.
The Indian Navy regularly participates in joint maritime patrols, surveillance, and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations with the Seychelles. The “LAMITYE” exercise is conducted between the two nations, encompassing joint military drills, counter-insurgency operations, specialised military training, and interoperability enhancement. Additionally, cooperation in areas like ‘White Shipping’, information sharing, and Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) has further strengthened maritime security.
Indo-Pacific Strategy and the ‘SAGAR’ Vision
India introduced the ‘SAGAR’ (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision to make the Indian Ocean region a zone of cooperation, security, and shared development. This policy is anchored in maritime security, capacity building, regional cooperation, and a rules-based maritime order.
The vision extends beyond mere security cooperation to place equal emphasis on maritime connectivity, the blue economy, climate change, digital connectivity, disaster management, and sustainable development. Seychelles is a key partner in this comprehensive maritime vision.
P.M Modi’s Visit to Seychelles: A New Chapter
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid an official visit to Seychelles from June 27–29, marking a visit after nearly a decade and a half. This visit opened a new chapter in the historic ties between the two nations. Prime Minister Modi participated as the guest of honour in the celebrations marking Seychelles’ 50th National Day (Golden Jubilee), an event symbolising the deep trust and special Commonwealth partnership shared by the two nations.
He received a grand welcome in Seychelles. He held extensive discussions with President Wavel Ramkalawan, covering a wide range of topics including maritime security, defence cooperation, the blue economy, climate change, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, capacity building, and regional cooperation within the Indian Ocean region.
Prime Minister Modi emphasised that the relationship between India and Seychelles extends beyond mere cooperation regarding the workforce; it serves as a foundation for peace, security, stability, and shared prosperity in the Indian Ocean region. He also assured that India is committed to addressing the developmental needs of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and finding solutions to climate change challenges.
During the visit, agreements were reached to advance various collaborative initiatives spanning maritime security, digital cooperation, health, education, capacity building, the blue economy, and sustainable development. The presence of the Indian military contingent at the National Day celebrations further strengthened the defence cooperation between the two nations.
China’s Growing Activity and India’s Strategic Priorities
China’s increasing maritime presence in the Indian Ocean Region and the expansion of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) have influenced the regional balance of power. Investments made by China in ports, maritime infrastructure, and maritime connectivity projects have heightened the strategic importance of small island nations.
In this context, India views Seychelles not merely as a friendly nation but as a trusted strategic partner in the Indian Ocean Region. India’s approach is grounded in development cooperation, capacity building, democratic values, and inclusive maritime security, rather than military rivalry. Consequently, India-Seychelles relations are built on principles of partnership and shared development rather than power-balancing politics.
The ‘Blue Economy’ is currently the most rapidly emerging area of ​​cooperation between India and Seychelles. Fisheries resources, marine biodiversity, marine tourism, renewable energy, and marine scientific research feature prominently in the priorities of both nations. For small island nations like Seychelles, climate change has become an existential issue; natural challenges such as rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and cyclones are impacting their development.
India has consistently supported Seychelles through initiatives like the International Solar Alliance (ISA), the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), and cooperation in disaster management. There is immense potential for future collaboration in areas such as green energy, marine ecosystem conservation, and climate-resilient infrastructure.
Economic ties between India and Seychelles are anchored in trade, investment, development assistance, and capacity building. India has played a pivotal role through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme, scholarships, digital public infrastructure, e-governance, healthcare services, and information technology.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, India further solidified its standing as a ‘trusted partner’ by supplying vaccines, medicines, and medical equipment. In the current era, cooperation between the two nations is expanding into new domains such as digital payments, fintech, cybersecurity, and AI-driven maritime surveillance.
In the evolving global landscape, India-Seychelles relations have transcended traditional diplomatic friendship; they have become vital pillars for strategic stability, maritime security, the blue economy, climate change action, digital cooperation, and Global South partnerships within the Indian Ocean region.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Seychelles underscored India’s intent to further strengthen its role as a reliable, responsible, and long-term maritime partner in the Indian Ocean region. In the years ahead, cooperation across areas such as maritime domain awareness, AI-based maritime security, green energy, the blue economy, digital connectivity, disaster management, and engagement through multilateral institutions—including the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), the Colombo Security Conclave, the Indian Ocean Commission, and the United Nations—will elevate India-Seychelles relations to new heights.
Undoubtedly, this strategic partnership extends beyond mere bilateral interests; it is emerging as an impactful and exemplary model for peace, security, sustainable development, a rules-based maritime order, and the empowerment of the Global South in the Indian Ocean region. It is for this reason that, within the current international order, the significance of India-Seychelles relations has become far more expansive, multifaceted, and strategic than ever before.
( The Author is an Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Satyawati College, University of Delhi)
