India and Seychelles have signed 19 memorandums of understanding to enhance bilateral cooperation in an array of sectors, including defence, maritime security, agriculture, healthcare, and education.
India and Seychelles have signed 19 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) to enhance bilateral cooperation in an array of sectors, including defence, maritime security, agriculture, healthcare, and education.
The memorandums of understanding were signed following talks between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Seychelles President Patrick Herminie at the State House in the capital Victoria on Sunday.
The agreements and the meeting with Seychelles president were part of Modi's three-day trip to the archipelagic nation, where he will attend Monday's golden jubilee independence celebrations.
India and Seychelles reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the needs of the Global South.
'Ocean of Opportunity'
"This is the spirit that unites the Global South, and this is the vision that India and Seychelles will continue to advance further," Modi said.
The two countries aim to transform the Indian Ocean into an "Ocean of Opportunity," as the water body is a "shared home," with its security, sustainability, and prosperity being shared responsibilities.
"We will continue to explore new opportunities for industries of both countries. Work will also be done to improve connectivity between India and Seychelles," Modi said.
Herminie, for his part, said maritime security in the Indian Ocean remained central to the bilateral relationship between the two countries.
"Development partnership has been a strong pillar of India-Seychelles relations, guided by Seychelles' priorities," Herminie said, adding that discussions also touched on India's special economic package of $175 million allocated to his country.
