Seychelles warmly welcomes Indian PM |11 March 2015

The Prime Minister of India His Excellency Shri Narendra Modi arrived in Seychelles last night onboard an Air India flight on a one-day official visit to the country.

He is accompanied by a high-level delegation of Indian dignitaries.

Prime Minister Modi was met on arrival at the Seychelles International Airport by the President of the Republic, James Michel. Also present were Vice-President Danny Faure, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Transport Joel Morgan and other high government officials.

Seychelles is the first stop of Prime Minister Modi’s three-nation Indian Ocean tour which will also take in Mauritius and Sri Lanka.

After welcoming him to the Seychelles, President Michel introduced Prime Minister Modi to members of the Seychelles government.

 
The prime minister then greeted Indian nationals gathered at the airport to welcome him.

Historic ties shared between the two nations will be strengthened and new avenues of cooperation will also be explored during his visit here.

This morning he will hold bilateral discussions with President James Michel to strengthen maritime ties and enhance bilateral development cooperation.

Several agreements are also set to be inked between the two countries during the visit. They represent defence and security cooperation, renewable energy and maritime cooperation.

PM Modi will also make a public address at the Palais des Sports in Roche Caïman later today where more than 3,000 people are expected to attend.

PM Modi leaves Seychelles this afternoon for Mauritius, the next destination of his Indian Ocean tour.

Seychelles and India established diplomatic relations on June 29, 1976 and PM Modi is the second Indian prime minister to visit Seychelles after Indira Gandhi's visit in 1981.

India's bilateral cooperation with Seychelles is mainly in the field of health, education, defence and maritime security.