India-Seychelles-Indian navy head calls on President Michel |23 February 2005

Admiral Arun Prakash, the Chief of the Naval Staff of India, visited State House where he and President Michel discussed Indo-Seychelles relations in advance of the transfer of a 46-metre patrol boat from the Indian navy to the local coastguard.

Admiral Prakash said that he had reiterated the offer of Indian maritime assistance to the President during their discussions.

The naval chief noted the large size of Seychelles Exclusive Economic Zone (SEEZ) and said that India is ready to help in patrolling the area, as well as offering training to the Seychelles coastguard.

Referring to the Indian presence in Seychelles at the time of the 1976 Independence celebrations, the Admiral said that India and Seychelles have been friends for a very long time.

He said that the boat donation indicates the importance India gives to its "neighbour," Seychelles.

While the patrol boat is worth an estimated US $15 million, not including the spare parts, ammunition and training that will come with it, Admiral Prakash said that the real value of the hand over is not monetary but in the friendship it helps build between the two countries.

The much decorated Admiral Prakash graduated from the Indian National Defence Academy, in Khadakwasia, in 1964 and specialised in aviation, serving as an aircraft carrier pilot for the early part of his career.