Indian Navy gives equipment to Coast Guard |05 September 2008

The consignment was handed over to Chief of Staff of the Seychelles People’s Defence Forces (SPDF) Colonel Clifford Roseline by Indian High Commissioner to Seychelles Asit Kumar Nag yesterday morning at the New Port in Victoria.

Present were Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet, Rear Admiral Anil Chopra, commanding officers of the INS Talwar and INS Godavari now on a goodwill visit to Port Victoria and officers of the Seychelles Coast Guard.

The equipment, comprising engine spare parts, a welding machine, water jet cleaner and workshop tools, will be allocated to the Coast Guard.

Accepting the gift, Colonel Roseline said such visits boost the bilateral relations and continuing defence cooperation between the two countries.

He added that the Indo-Seychelles link is very special, and the close ties between the two defence forces contribute significantly to the bond of friendship between the two countries.

“Our defence cooperation has flourished and has been greatly strengthened by the exchange of military delegations, the deputation of defence experts under the Itec (Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation) scheme, joint training courses and gifts from the government of India,” he said.

“Today, we sincerely accept with fervent appreciation these gifts. On this occasion, I wish to reiterate our friendship with the Indian defence forces and we look forward to the continued strengthening of our bilateral relations.”

Defence cooperation between India and Seychelles started in 1989 when the Indian Army helped the SPDF build the Seychelles Defence Academy. Since then, Seychelles has received regular help from Indian defence advisers in training and restructuring the force.