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Archive -President Danny Faure

Indian credit line has no link with Assumption military project, says President Faure |27 June 2018

 

President Danny Faure has clarified that the USD 100 million long-term credit line from India has no link and nothing to do with the Assumption project to be undertaken by the Seychelles government.

President Faure said this while answering questions yesterday morning from local journalists on the fifth day of his State visit to India.

It follows articles in foreign newspapers, especially in the Indian press and on social media commenting that the Assumption project with India is off to a start after India has offered Seychelles a USD 100 million line of credit.

President Faure said Seychelles initially requested assistance from the Indian government for only five projects: a government building, a new police headquarters, the Attorney General’s office, housing and the dam project.

President Faure said that through discussions, the Indian government also welcomed the idea for us to have a special hospital which had been a concern in the National Assembly and among the public at large and has decided to assist Seychelles with the special project.

President Faure said that our relations with India is based on the financing component and maritime security.

“During the meeting, the Indian government announced that a line of credit will be given to the Seychelles People’s Defence Forces to purchase equipment and the Ministry of Finance will sit with the defences forces to identify the amount that will be used to buy equipment in line with securing the country’s sovereignty. The money will also be used to build infrastructure for the SPDF so that our armed forces continue to develop,” President Faure said.

President Faure noted that he had already pronounced itself on the Assumption project and India clearly understands the situation.

“It’s normal in the context of our discussion that India raises the topic for our explanation but in another context India says it is interested to see Seychelles protect and safeguard its territory. India knows our limitations and Prime Minister Modi told me that India stands ready to help Seychelles on the Assumption project,” said President Faure.

President Faure said he told Prime Minister Modi he will discuss with the executive and politicians on the help being offered.

“Therefore, the USD 100 million has nothing to do with the Assumption project but a defence cooperation that has existed for many years,” said President Faure.

President Faure has described his first State visit to India as very fruitful.
“The visit has brought about good results in terms of strengthening our relations with India and the discussions were very positive. So I will say that our relations with India are excellent and I am very happy that I came here,” he said.

 

Text and photo Patrick Joubert in India

 

 

 

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