Seychelles parliamentary delegation back from official visit to India |17 August 2017

A 12-member parliamentary delegation led by Speaker Patrick Pillay has returned to the country following a seven-day visit to India at the invitation of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha (the lower House of the Parliament) the Hon. Sumitra Mahajan.

The delegation who included the leader of government business, Charles De Commarmond, called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday August 10, 2017 at the Prime Minister’s Office. Prime Minister Modi hailed the “strong and vibrant ties” between India and Seychelles and welcomed increased exchanges between the legislatures of both countries.

The parliamentary delegation also called on the President of India, Ram Nath Kovind. The President said that Seychelles is a maritime neighbour and trusted friend of India and that the two countries have strong security and defence cooperation in the Indian Ocean region.

He stressed that India and Seychelles can cooperate in the healthcare sector besides other areas.

The President congratulated the government of Seychelles for banning plastics from July 1, 2017.

He also expressed hope that the National Assembly of Seychelles will ratify entry to the International Solar Alliance soon.

The parliamentary delegation also observed both Houses of Parliament in session. The Hon. Sumitra Mahajan, Speaker of the Lok Sabha (Lower House) and Vice-President Venkaia Naidu, chairman of the Rajya Sabha (Upper House) welcomed Speaker Pillay and his delegation to their respective House of Parliament.

Speaker Pillay held bilateral discussions with his counterpart Sumitra Mahajan aimed at further expanding the interactions between the parliamentarians of Seychelles and India.

The Speaker of the Lok Sabha also hosted a banquet in honour of the Seychelles delegation.

Speaker Pillay also met a number of eminent dignitaries who included the Foreign Secretary of India, Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, the deputy Speaker of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly Rao Rajendra Singh and also gave a talk to the Indian Council of World Affairs on Cohabitation in government – the importance of its success.

Other members of the Seychelles delegation were MNAs Norbert Loizeau, François Adelaide, Waven William, Jany Letourdi, Noline Sophola, Wavel Woodcock, Jude Valmont, Jutta Alexis (clerk), Daniel Cesar (legal counsel) and Terry Romain (personal assistant to the Speaker).