Follow us on:

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn YouTube

Archive -Seychelles

‘Traditional linkages culminate in mutually beneficial partnership,’ says HC Sayeed |17 August 2018

 

 

 

India’s 72nd Independence Day

 

 

To mark India’s 72nd Independence Day, the Indian high commission in Seychelles organised a reception at the Kempinksi Seychelles Resort, Baie Lazare on Wednesday evening.

High Commissioner Dr Ausaf Sayeed and his wife were hosts to Vice- President Vincent Meriton; Designated Minister Macsuzy Mondon; Speaker of the National Assembly Nicholas Prea; Minister for Health Jean-Paul Adam; Minister for Finance, Trade, Investment and Economic Planning Maurice Loustau-Lalanne; Minister for Fisheries and Agriculture Charles Bastienne; Minister for Employment, Immigration and Civil Status Myriam Télémaque; Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine Didier Dogley and Minister for Environment, Energy and Climate Change Wallace Cosgrow.

Also present were other high government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, the Indian diaspora and other invited guests.

Dr Sayeed and Minister Adam both addressed the roomful of attendees and toasted to the long friendship between the two countries as well as to the health of both nations’ head of states and people.

In his speech Dr Sayeed saluted the freedom fighters, known and unknown, who made enormous sacrifices that paved the way to India’s independence which it gained on August 15, 1947.

“In the last seven decades, India embarked on its inspiring journey from a budding nation that has just emerged from 200 years of colonial rule to a modern, developed and progressive democratic country,” he highlighted.

Dr Sayeed stated that contemporary India has emerged as one of the fastest growing economies with a gross domestic product (GDP) that is currently growing at a rate of 7.3% and has achieved the status of the feat of becoming the sixth biggest economy in the world, overtaking France.

He also noted that diplomatic ties between India and Seychelles dates back to 1976 and which has propelled the two countries to help and support each other in areas such as climate change and piracy.

“Our traditional linkages have now culminated in a mutually beneficial partnership. There is geo-strategic convergence between the two countries for nurturing a climate of peace and stability in our oceanic space to ensure sustainable development and safeguard the future of our populations,” he said.

He also revealed that India will be helping Seychelles with the construction of a new central police headquarters and a government secretariat building.

India is also expected to upgrade the India-Seychelles Centre for Excellence in ICT which is located at the University of Seychelles’ Mont Fleuri campus and ease the progression of a feasibility report for a specialty hospital.

Additionally, to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth in October, Dr Sayeed stated that India has offered on a grant basis to build a state-of-the-art Mahatma Gandhi convention centre with a capacity to hold 1,000 people at Ile Aurore.

On his side, Minister Adam stated that India and Seychelles are united not only through their vision for the future based on shared peace, prosperity sustainable development but also through a rich history whereby many Seychellois can trace their origins back to India.

He further hailed these Seychellois of Indian descent who helped in building the Seychelles of today.

“The close and frequent engagement between our two countries has formed a strong foundation to deepen the ties even further,” Mr Adam said.

Technical and educational support and the donation of 10 new ambulances in the next month to come from India were some of the examples given to demonstrate the strong partnership between the two nations.

Speeches aside, the evening continued with the cutting of a commemorative cake by VP Meriton and Dr Sayeed followed by the release of a special souvenir magazine entitled ‘Connexion’ by same. The magazine focuses on President Danny Faure’s state visit to India in June this year.

The evening concluded with several traditional Indian dance performances and dinner.

 

 

 

» Back to Archive